​The Supreme Court has assessed that the appointment of a new Supreme Court justice by Acting President Han Duck-soo will not violate the principles of the Constitution. 

According to the office of main opposition Democratic Party Rep. Back Hye-ryun on Wednesday, the top court released the assessment in a document it submitted to the lawmaker regarding her question on whether the acting president has the power to appoint a justice nominee who has gained parliamentary approval. 

In the document, the top court said though ultimately a Supreme Court justice is appointed by the president, the effort requires a recommendation from the chief justice and parliamentary approval. 

The court noted that the chief justice recommended a nominee on November 26 and the president accepted the recommendation and requested a parliamentary confirmation hearing on December 12, shortly before a motion to impeach him was passed in the National Assembly.  

A confirmation hearing is set to be held on Thursday for Ma Yong-joo, who has been nominated to succeed Supreme Court Justice Kim Sang-hwan, who will retire on Friday.