The Constitutional Court's decision that "not appointing Ma Eun-hyeok as a Constitutional Court Justice is an unlawful act" raises attention on whether Acting President and Minister of Strategy and Finance Choi Sang-mok will proceed with the appointment process. After the Constitutional Court's decision, the Democratic Party of Korea urged that "Ma should be appointed immediately," but Acting Choi's side is continuing to deliberate.
On the 27th, Acting Choi's side said in a phone call with ChosunBiz, "We respect the Constitutional Court's decision," and noted, "Acting Choi will carefully review the decision document." This is interpreted as meaning that they will carefully examine the intent of the decision, gather opinions, and then make a decision.
That day, the Constitutional Court partially accepted the request for a ruling on the powers dispute filed by National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik against Acting Choi with unanimous agreement from all justices. The Constitutional Court's decision states, "Not appointing Ma Eun-hyeok, who was elected by the claimant (Speaker Woo), as a Constitutional Court Justice infringes upon the claimant's constitutional right to form the Constitutional Court through the election of Constitutional Court Justices as granted by the Constitution."
The appointment of Ma Eun-hyeok could also impact the ongoing impeachment trial against President Yoon Suk-yeol, which deepens the concerns for Acting Choi. Additionally, as the possibility increases for Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is currently undergoing impeachment proceedings at the Constitutional Court, to return, there are observations that the decision could be passed on to the Prime Minister who made the appointment.
However, in a dimension of respecting the authority and decision of the Constitutional Court, there is also a possibility that Acting Choi could abruptly appoint Ma. Regarding the direction that Acting Choi is reviewing, his side stated, "We are not aware of it," drawing a line.