Seoul: The Democratic Party (DP) announced on Tuesday its intention to explore legal action against acting President Han Duck-soo's recent nomination of two Constitutional Court justices. The party contends that Han lacks the authority to make such nominations, as he was appointed by the ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
According to Yonhap News Agency, with the impending retirement of two standing judges, Moon Hyung-bae and Lee Mi-son, on April 18, Han named Lee Wan-kyu, minister of government legislation, and Ham Sang-hun, a justice of the Seoul High Court, as their successors earlier in the day. DP spokesperson Han Min-soo expressed the party's intent to consider legal measures to challenge the acting president's decision.
"Acting President Han has unconstitutionally abused his authority, so these nominations are fundamentally void," stated Han Min-soo. The spokesperson further criticized the nomination of Lee Wan-kyu, labeling him as unqualified due to ongoing investigations by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on charges of insurrection.
DP leader Lee Jae-myung also voiced his concerns after a court hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, emphasizing that Han has "overstepped" his role and lacks the authority to nominate judges. "It looks like he's under the illusion that he has become the president," remarked Lee.
DP lawmakers from the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held a press conference at the National Assembly, accusing Han of delaying the appointment of opposition-recommended Ma Eun-hyuk as the ninth justice of the Constitutional Court. They criticized Han for acting swiftly in what they perceived as an abuse of power while delaying Ma's appointment, which they argued was both constitutional and legal.
In a related development, minor opposition parties are advocating for another impeachment attempt against Han. The Rebuilding Korea Party, during a press conference, urged the National Assembly to employ all legal avenues to halt Han's "reckless behavior" and to promptly convene a plenary session to impeach him.
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik called for the acting president to retract his nominations and declared that the parliament will not conduct confirmation hearings.