Controversy Over Acting President’s Nomination of Constitutional Court Justices

The nomination of Lee Wan-kyu and Ham Sang-hoon as Constitutional Court Justices by Acting President Han Duck-soo has sparked controversy, with the main opposition party, People Power Party, boycotting the parliamentary proceedings. The Democratic Party pushed through a resolution urging the withdrawal of the nominations, labeling them an unconstitutional overreach.

Key Points:

• Disagreement: Opposition party strongly disagrees with the nomination.
• Constitutional Concerns: The nomination of Lee Wan-kyu and Ham Sang-hoon is being questioned.
• Political Boycott: People Power Party is boycotting the process.

The resolution, led by the Democratic Party, condemns Han Duck-soo’s actions as an abuse of power and supports seeking a constitutional review. The situation remains tense as the nominations head to a full parliamentary vote.

This is happening amidst a politically charged environment in South Korea, where such appointments are often subject to intense scrutiny and debate. The Constitutional Court plays a vital role in interpreting the constitution and safeguarding fundamental rights.

*Note: In South Korea, the President has the authority to appoint judges to the Constitutional Court, subject to parliamentary confirmation. A ‘대행’ (Daehaeng) refers to an acting president or someone who is temporarily fulfilling the duties of the president.