▲ Acting President Choi Sang-mok presides over a Cabinet meeting at the government complex in Seoul on Dec. 31, 2024. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

(3rd LD) Constitutional Court-justices

(3rd LD) Acting President Choi appoints 2 justices to Constitutional Court

(ATTN: ADDS reactions from political circles from 7th para)

By Lee Haye-ah

SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Tuesday appointed two justices to the Constitutional Court, partially meeting the opposition's demand to fill three vacancies on the bench before a ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.

Choi said during a Cabinet meeting that he decided to appoint Jeong Gye-seon, a justice recommended by the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), and Cho Han-chang, recommended by the ruling People Power Party (PPP), but will hold off on the other opposition-recommended justice Ma Eun-hyuk until the rival parties reach an agreement.

"I decided to appoint the Constitutional Court justices because of the need to end the political uncertainty and social conflict as soon as possible and stop a possible crisis in the economy and people's livelihoods," he said.

The DP had demanded former acting President Han Duck-soo appoint the three justices without delay once motions for their appointments passed the opposition-controlled National Assembly.

After Han refused last week, the DP railroaded the motions and impeached Han, suspending him from duty and putting Choi in his place as interim leader.

By law, at least six votes are required to uphold an impeachment motion, which means the appointment of three additional justices could improve the chances of Yoon's impeachment being upheld.

The PPP voiced strong regret over Choi's appointments, accusing Choi of succumbing to the opposition's pressure and threats that it will also impeach Choi if he refuses to go ahead with the appointments.

"The decision sacrifices the constitutional principle of due process," PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong said. "Today's decision will set a wrong precedent."

The PPP's interim leader, Kwon Young-se, noted that any decision Choi makes as the acting leader could be called into question later, depending on the court decision on the injunction filed by the PPP seeking to suspend the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

"It was inappropriate of him to change the status quo while being in that unstable position," Kwon said.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik also expressed regret.

"The appointment of Constitutional Court justices is not a matter for compromise," Woo said in a statement, dismissing as untrue the claim that the rival parties failed to reach a compromise.

The DP denounced Choi for having only filled two out of the three vacancies, urging him to name the remaining third justice "immediately."

"Even the president does not have the authority to refuse the appointment of Constitutional Court justices," DP floor leader Park Chan-dae told reporters after a party meeting.

"Acting President Choi should immediately appoint all three justices," Park said.

(END)

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