Seoul, March 28 (Yonhap) – South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik has initiated a legal challenge against Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, claiming a violation of the constitution for failing to appoint a nominee recommended by the parliament to the Constitutional Court.
Speaker Woo announced on Thursday that he has filed a petition with the Constitutional Court seeking a ruling on the scope of authority in the matter. The dispute centers on Han Duck-soo’s decision to withhold the appointment of Ma Eun-hyuk, the parliamentary nominee for a vacant Constitutional Court justice position.
According to a statement released by the Speaker’s office, Woo argues that Han’s inaction seriously disrupts the constitutional order. He filed the petition with the Constitutional Court at 8 PM on Thursday, also requesting a provisional disposition to confirm Ma Eun-hyuk’s temporary status as a Constitutional Court Justice.
This is not the first time Speaker Woo has challenged the authority of an acting president on this issue. In January, he filed a similar petition against then-Acting President Choi Sang-mok, who also held the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, for failing to appoint Ma Eun-hyuk.
The Constitutional Court ruled on the previous case last month, determining that Choi Sang-mok’s failure to appoint the parliamentary nominee was indeed a violation of the constitution.
This latest move by Speaker Woo underscores the ongoing tensions between the legislative and executive branches of the South Korean government regarding the appointment of Constitutional Court justices. The outcome of this legal challenge will likely have significant implications for the balance of power between the branches and the future composition of the Constitutional Court.
Conclusion:
Speaker Woo’s legal challenge highlights the critical importance of adhering to constitutional procedures in the appointment of Constitutional Court justices. The Constitutional Court’s ruling on this matter will not only determine the fate of Ma Eun-hyuk’s nomination but also clarify the boundaries of power between the executive and legislative branches in South Korea. Further developments in this case will be closely watched as they could have lasting implications for the country’s constitutional framework.
References:
- Yonhap News Agency (韩联社)
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