The Democratic Party of Korea's first-term lawmakers' group 'DeoMinCho' urged Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is acting on behalf of the president, to "appoint Judge Ma Eun-hyeok by the day after tomorrow (Sunday)" on the 28th.
Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Geon-tae, affiliated with DeoMinCho, said at an emergency press conference held in the National Assembly's Rotunda Hall that afternoon, "If Judge Ma is not appointed, our National Assembly will not inquire about anything. We will immediately initiate the re-impeachment process against the acting prime minister."
Lee noted, "It has been 116 days since Yoon Suk-yeol, the instigator of the insurrection, caused an unconstitutional and illegal state of emergency on Dec. 3, 105 days since the impeachment motion was made in the National Assembly, and 32 days since the constitutional court concluded its hearing," adding that, "The decision to remove him from the constitutional court, which is the most important in overcoming the insurrection, is still delayed and remains uncertain."
He continued, "Above all, the appointment of Judge Ma Eun-hyeok must be made for the normal operation of the constitutional court," and emphasized, "However, both acting prime minister Han Duck-soo and former acting prime minister Choi Sang-mok are not appointing Judge Ma, who was lawfully elected by the National Assembly, despite the constitutional court's ruling on the jurisdictional dispute. This is a clear violation of the constitution."
Warnings were also issued towards other cabinet members, in addition to the acting prime minister. Lawmaker Park Jeong-hyeon stated, "I also warn all cabinet members in the same manner," saying, "If you succeed as acting prime minister afterward, appoint Judge Ma Eun-hyeok immediately. Otherwise, the National Assembly will impeach without any inquiries."
They also urged National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik to convene a plenary session. DeoMinCho lawmakers said, "We request the assembly speaker. There has never been a more critical time than this," and added, "We hope to hold a plenary session next Monday and Tuesday." Lawmakers Kang Yoo-jeong and Noh Jong-myeon said, "The National Assembly must convene a plenary session throughout next week to get work done."
However, it has been reported that there are differences of opinion between first-term and veteran lawmakers regarding the timing of taking concrete action within the party.
Lawmaker Yoon Jong-gun said, "To be honest, there is a gap between the first-term and veteran lawmakers in the Democratic Party," adding, "But now is not the time to believe and watch the acting prime minister's good intentions. They have not appointed Judge Ma even in a situation where the constitutional court has decided it is unconstitutional," and called for the speedy convening of the plenary session.
A lawmaker from DeoMinCho reported, "A meeting is scheduled this evening between the first-term lawmakers and the speaker of the National Assembly."