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| ▲ This composite photo shows Lee Wan-kyu (L), minister of government legislation, and Ham Sang-hun, a justice of the Seoul High Court, who have been nominated to replace the Constitutional Court's justices Moon Hyung-bae and Lee Mi-son. (Yonhap) |
(LEAD) DP-court justice
(LEAD) DP threatens legal action against acting president's nomination of Constitutional Court justices
(ATTN: ADDS more info in last 7 paras)
By Yi Wonju
SEOUL, April 8 (Yonhap) -- The Democratic Party (DP) said Tuesday it will consider seeking legal action against the nomination of two Constitutional Court justices by acting President Han Duck-soo, arguing that Han has no authority to nominate the judges because he was appointed by ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
With two standing judges, Moon Hyung-bae and Lee Mi-son, set to retire April 18, Han announced his decision to nominate Lee Wan-kyu, minister of government legislation, and Ham Sang-hun, a justice of the Seoul High Court, as their replacements earlier in the day.
DP spokesperson Han Min-soo told reporters that the party would consider taking legal measures against the nomination by the acting president.
"Acting President Han has unconstitutionally abused his authority, so these nominations are fundamentally void," Han Min-soo said.
The DP spokesperson said it is "completely unacceptable" to nominate Lee Wan-kyu, saying Lee is an unqualified person who has already been reported to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on charges of insurrection.
Speaking to reporters after a court hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, DP leader Lee Jae-myung also stressed that Han lacks the authority to nominate the judges and appears to have "overstepped" the line.
"It looks like he's under the illusion that he has become the president," Lee said.
DP lawmakers of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held a press conference at the National Assembly, criticizing Han for stalling the appointment of opposition-recommended Ma Eun-hyuk as the ninth justice of the Constitutional Court.
The lawmakers slammed Han for being a "slow-moving caterpillar" when it came to appointing Ma -- an appointment they argued as constitutional and legal -- while acting swiftly when it came to abusing his power.
Meanwhile, minor opposition parties called for another impeachment push against Han.
During a press conference, the Rebuilding Korea Party urged the National Assembly to use every legal means to stop Han's "reckless behavior" and to convene a plenary session immediately to impeach him.
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik called on the acting president to withdraw his nominations and announced that the parliament will refuse to hold confirmation hearings.
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