South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok moves to fill Constitutional Court vacancies, aiming to restore stability amid political turmoil following the impeachment of his predecessors.
South Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok said on Tuesday he would immediately move to fill vacancies on the Constitutional Court in a effort to restore stability after the impeachment of two of his predecessors this month triggered political turmoil.
Finance Minister Choi became acting leader on Friday after the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who had been acting president since Dec. 14 when Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended from power after a short-lived attempt to impose martial law on Dec. 3.
Choi said he would appoint two Constitutional Court justices immediately, and a third when ruling and opposition parties can agree on nominating a candidate.
"Having succeeded as acting President on December 27, I decided to appoint Constitutional Court justices because of the urgency of ending political uncertainty and social conflict as soon as possible, to stop the possibility of crises in the economy and people's livelihoods," Choi said in a Cabinet meeting.
Credit ratings agency Fitch warned this month that any slowdown from a prolonged political crisis and internal division could lead to a credit rating cut in Asia's fourth-largest economy.
Han was impeached after he declined to immediately appoint three justices to fill vacancies at the Constitutional Court, saying it would exceed his powers as acting president.
The court is set to decide the fate of both Yoon and Han, on whether to oust them from their positions completely or restore their powers.
South Korea's Constitution requires six justices to agree on the ouster of an impeached president. But the nine-member court had three vacancies, so the current justices would have had to vote unanimously to remove Yoon.
The appointment of the justices has been a point of contention between the opposition Democratic Party which controls parliament, and Yoon's ruling People Power Party.
Choi pleaded with the ruling and opposition parties to work with the government to resolve political uncertainties, handle the aftermath of the most severe plane crash on South Korean soil and bolster people's livelihoods.
Read next
12:35
North Korea's defense ministry condemned on Tuesday the recent arrival of a U.S. submarine in South Korea, stating that its military forces are prepared to take any necessary action. "We will not back down an inch from our confrontation with this tyrannical enemy," ministry stated.
20:13
Protests intensify in Seoul as South Koreans rally for and against President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, ahead of crucial final hea rings to decide his political future.
14:29
South Korea
Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared at the Constitutional Court on Thursday for the sixth hearing in his impeachment case. The court will decide whether to permanently remove him from office or reinstate him.
01:51
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his decision to impose martial law in December, as a top military commander testified in court on Tuesday. The Constitutional Court is reviewing Yoon’s impeachment, which could permanently remove him from office.
01:44
Errol Musk, father of billionaire Elon Musk, facilitated a call between his son and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday after Trump accused South Africa of land seizures and threatened to cut $400 million in U.S. aid.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment