Rival parties show mixed reactions after Court dismisses impeachment motion against PM

Following the Court's decision, rival political parties showed different responses.

Our National Assembly correspondent Shin Ha-young has the details.

The Constitutional Court's ruling on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment has brought mixed reactions from the rival parties.

The ruling People Power Party welcomed the Court's decision to dismiss Han's impeachment, saying it was expected and describing the ruling as a warning against the opposition party's use of impeachment legislation.

"It was a strong warning from the Court against the opposition party's reckless legislation. It has lost all nine cases --a historic defeat."

The party floor leader Kweon Seong-dong, however, expressed deep regret over the Court's decision to set the required votes for passing an impeachment motion against an acting president at 151 seats.

The PPP has been arguing that Han's impeachment should be treated like a presidential impeachment, which requires the support of two-thirds of lawmakers, or 200 votes out of 300.

Kweon argued that this effectively allows unlimited impeachment motions against acting presidents, calling it a dangerous precedent.

The PPP said on Monday that its lawmakers have proposed an amendment to the National Assembly Act to prevent abuse of impeachment rules in the future.

The party's policy chief Kim Sang-hoon said that the bill would require lawmakers or parties that initiate an impeachment motion to cover the procedural costs if the Constitutional Court dismisses or rejects the case.

The main opposition Democratic Party, which was at the forefront of the opposition-led push in the National Assembly to remove Han from office, expressed regret over the ruling.

"We have to respect the decision, but I wonder if the public will accept why this clear and deliberate violation of the constitutional duty to form a constitutional body wasn't enough for impeachment."

DP floor leader Park Chan-dae also emphasized that the Court confirmed it was unconstitutional not to appoint justice nominees, urging Prime Minister Han, who also resumed his role as the Acting President, who also resumed his role as the Acting President, to appoint justice nominee Ma Eun-hyuk immediately.

Park also urged the Court to deliver a verdict on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment as early as Tuesday.

Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said he respects the Court's decision, stating it resolves constitutional interpretation issues regarding the required vote to pass an impeachment motion against an acting president.

Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.