National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik has denounced Acting President Han Duck-soo’s decision to defer the appointment of Constitutional Court Justices, saying there is no justification for delaying or refusing the appointments of justices elected by parliament.

Woo made the remarks on Thursday after the opposition-controlled National Assembly passed motions to appoint Ma Eun-hyuk, Jeong Gye-seon, and Cho Han-chang as Constitutional Court justices.

He emphasized that Han must take full responsibility to act in accordance with the Constitution, the law, and the expectations of the public.

Woo also said that by postponing the appointments until rival parties reach an agreement, Han has effectively refused to appoint the justices, thereby infringing on the National Assembly’s authority to elect Constitutional Court justices.