Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said on the 29th that he judged it "inevitable to request a reconsideration" regarding the constitutional court law amendment.
Acting Prime Minister Han noted during a regular Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Building that the "constitutional court amendment seeks to legally limit the scope of duties of the acting president, which is not stipulated in the Constitution."
The constitutional court amendment, for which he exercised the right of reconsideration (veto), fundamentally restricts the acting president's ability to appoint constitutional judges. It passed the National Assembly on the 17th and was sent to the government.
Acting Prime Minister Han stated, "The amendment legally defines important matters regarding the governance structure and the separation of powers, which are outlined in the Constitution," and added, "It contains content that conflicts with the current constitutional provisions."
He continued, "According to Article 71 of the Constitution, when the president is unable to perform duties, the Prime Minister shall act on behalf of the president," and stated, "The Constitution does not place any separate limitations on the scope of duties for the acting president."
Acting Prime Minister Han said, "This amendment would allow the acting president to appoint only three constitutional judges elected by the National Assembly and three appointed by the Chief Justice," indicating that it seeks to legally limit the duties of the acting president, which are not found in the Constitution.
He added, "Article 112, Clause 1 of the Constitution clearly stipulates the term of constitutional judges as six years," and said, "This amendment contradicts the constitutional spirit that states judges whose terms have expired are to continue performing their duties until successors are appointed."
Acting Prime Minister Han pointed out that "the provision that a constitutional judge elected or appointed by the Chief Justice is deemed appointed if not named within seven days would undermine the president's appointment power enshrined in the Constitution and poses a significant risk of violating the separation of powers."
He said, "Considering these issues of constitutional violation comprehensively, I gathered the opinions of the members of the Cabinet," adding that he requests the National Assembly to reconsider the constitutional court law amendment and seeks the public's broad understanding.
Regarding the supplementary budget, he said, "The effect depends on speed," expressing that the government will be flexible and proactive in the National Assembly's discussion on the supplementary budget provided that swift handling conforms to the fundamental principle of effectively using the people's valuable taxes.
He remarked, "In the face of uncertainty in the normal environment and global technological hegemony competition, our corporations are facing unprecedented challenges," emphasizing the urgent need for the National Assembly to play a leading role in responding to public sentiment through legislative and budgetary authority.
Acting Prime Minister Han noted, "Last week in Washington, D.C., a '2+2 trade consultation' involving South Korea and the U.S. economic and trade heads took place," adding, "Our delegation was able to alleviate much of the uncertainties while securing a principled agreement on the basic framework for future consultations."
He said, "From this week, practical discussions by sector, including tariffs and non-tariff measures and shipbuilding cooperation plans, will commence in earnest," indicating that while the consultations aim to find mutually beneficial solutions between South Korea and the U.S., numerous obstacles must be overcome before the conclusion of the consultations in July.
He stated, "There will be times when we face situations where we must make decisions for national interests," and noted, "We have always responded to challenges and turned crises into opportunities."
Acting Prime Minister Han urged that "if we can lead mutually beneficial trade consultations with the United States, the strong South Korea-U.S. alliance will grow and mature into an economic alliance of prosperity," encouraging that all ministries join forces under the leadership of the Minister of Economy and the Minister of Industry to pool their wisdom and strive tirelessly for national interests.