National Assembly adopts resolution calling for appointment of 9th Constitutional Justice

Published : Feb. 14, 2025 - 19:12:50

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Ma Eun-hyuk, a candidate for new Constitutional Court justice, answers lawmakers' questions at his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul, in this Dec. 23, 2024, file photo. Yonhap

The opposition-led National Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution calling for the appointment of an additional justice to the Constitutional Court by acting President Choi Sang-mok.

The move came as the court had postponed its ruling on the constitutionality of acting President Choi's decision to withhold the appointment of the ninth justice to the bench.

Choi appointed two justices to the court in December but held off on the appointment of opposition-recommended Justice Ma Eun-hyuk, citing the need for a bipartisan consensus.

The issue of appointments to the nine-member bench, which is currently one member short, has been controversial as its composition could affect the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Consent by six justices is necessary to uphold his impeachment by the National Assembly over his short-lived Dec. 3 imposition of martial law.

At issue is whether Choi's refusal to appoint a justice selected by the Assembly constitutes a violation of parliament's right to choose a justice, as well as the Constitution. (Yonhap)

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