South Korean parties clash over appointment of judges for Yoon's trial

SEOUL - South Korea's main parties clashed on Dec. 17 over whether Acting President Han Duck-soo possesses the authority to approve National Assembly nominations for new Constitutional Court justices, a move that could make it easier to confirm President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.

An incumbent president's impeachment needs the approval of at least six justices at the Constitutional Court.

With three of the nine justice positions vacant, Mr. Yoon would not be impeached without a unanimous decision by all incumbent justices.

The National Assembly is due to recommend nominees to fill all three vacancies, with the Democratic Party suggesting on Dec. 16 that parliamentary hearings could be held for them in December.

But the ruling People Power Party's floor leader, Representative Kweon Seong-dong, argued on Dec. 17 that Acting President Han, who doubles as the prime minister, does not have the power to nominate new judges to any court as long as Mr. Yoon remains suspended from his position.

"The acting president may exercise a wide range of presidential executive powers and (Mr. Han) is supposed to do so."

"But an acting president's use of the power to approve a court justice is deemed legitimate when the presidential office becomes vacant, not when the incumbent is suspended," said Mr. Kweon, a self-proclaimed pro-Yoon figure, in a meeting with party lawmakers.

Representative Kim Han-kyu of the Democratic Party told reporters on Dec. 16 that he expected that a confirmation hearing on three nominees - one recommended by the ruling party and two by the opposition - is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 23 to 24.