South Korea’s Acting President Han Refuses to Appoint Judges to Constitutional Court

South Korean Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Thursday declined to appoint judges to the Constitutional Court, citing the lack of political consensus as beyond his mandate.

Han noted that the ruling and opposition parties hold “diametrically opposed positions” regarding the appointment of judges, further complicating the process.

This refusal came amid heightened political tensions, particularly following the opposition Democratic Party’s vow to impeach Han after his decision not to ratify two bills aimed at appointing a special prosecutor to investigate allegations against suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife, Kim Keon-hee.

The Constitutional Court is set to make a final ruling on Yoon’s impeachment by June 11, 2025, after parliament voted to impeach him on December 14 over his controversial martial law declaration.