South Korea’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday called for the early appointment of three justices to fill vacancies on the nine-member bench, highlighting the urgency due to President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment trial over his imposition of martial law.
At a televised press briefing, a spokesperson for the court stated that the incumbent six justices urged the “rapid completion” of the Constitutional Court during a meeting on Monday. They maintained their position of prioritizing Yoon’s impeachment trial.
On December 26, the National Assembly voted to appoint the three justices, with two nominated by the main opposition Democratic Party and one by the ruling People Power Party. The appointments, passed in the opposition-controlled parliament, require ceremonial approval by the president.
Economy and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who also serves as deputy prime minister for economic affairs, has become the acting president following the impeachment of both President Yoon and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Han was impeached by the National Assembly after officially refusing to ratify the appointment of the justices.
The impeachment motion against Yoon was passed in the National Assembly on December 14 and delivered to the Constitutional Court, which has up to 180 days to deliberate. During this period, Yoon’s presidential powers are suspended.
Yoon, who was named by investigative agencies as a suspect on an insurrection charge, declared an emergency martial law on the night of December 3. However, it was revoked by the National Assembly hours later.
To remove Yoon from office, at least six of the nine Constitutional Court justices must uphold the impeachment motion.
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South Korea's constitutional court urges early appointment of justices
cgtn.com
