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| ▲ Acting President Choi Sang-mok bangs a gavel at the start of a Cabinet meeting at the central government complex in Seoul on Dec. 31, 2024. (Yonhap) |
presidential office-justices
Presidential office says Choi exceeded his authority with Constitutional Court justice appointments
SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- The presidential office voiced regret Tuesday after acting President Choi Sang-mok appointed two justices to the Constitutional Court, saying he has gone beyond his authority as the interim leader by going ahead with the appointments.
"It is deeply regrettable that the acting president has exceeded his scope of authority, which should have been exercised with restraint," a presidential official told Yonhap News Agency by phone.
"By making such a sensitive and political decision unilaterally, he could further intensify the political conflict," the official said.
During a Cabinet meeting, Choi appointed two out of three justices that remained vacant, partially meeting the opposition's demand to fill the nine-member bench before a ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.
Choi said he decided to appoint Justices Jeong Gye-seon and Cho Han-chang, who were each recommended by the main opposition Democratic Party and the ruling People Power Party, respectively. But he said he was holding off on the other opposition-recommended justice Ma Eun-hyuk until the rival parties reach an agreement.
The presidential office had reportedly advised Choi against the appointments and there reportedly were opposing views among the Cabinet members about appointing the justices during Tuesday's meeting.
Following Choi's announcement, the rival parties both denounced Choi's appointments, based on their respective positions.
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