Outgoing Constitutional Court justices stress respect for court's rulings, Constitution

Moon Hyung-bae, the acting chief of the Constitutional Court, gives a speech during his retirement ceremony at the Constitutional Court in Seoul, April 18. Yonhap

Two justices of the Constitutional Court retired Friday following six-year terms best remembered for their decision to oust former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his brief imposition of martial law.

During his retirement ceremony held at the court, Moon Hyung-bae, the outgoing acting chief, stressed the need for constitutional institutions, such as the National Assembly and the president, to respect the court's rulings.

"There should be respect for the Constitutional Court's decisions," Moon said. "Academic criticism should rightfully be permitted, but denouncements like argumentum ad hominem should be abstained from," referring to criticisms of justices based on their career or ideology.

Moon also highlighted the need to diversify the court's justices and facilitate deeper communication between its members to achieve "social integration" as obligated in the Constitution.

Justice Lee Mi-son, who also retired Friday following her six-year tenure, made similar calls during her final speech, saying all government institutions should abide by the Constitution.

"This is the order by the people, who hold the sovereignty (of this country), and the premise to sustain a liberal democracy," she said.

Lee also requested the Constitutional Court continue its endeavor to protect the basic rights of the people and to preserve the constitutional order.

Moon began his career as a judge at the Busan District Court and served as the head judge of the Jinju branch of the Changwon District Court and the Busan Family Court, and as the chief presiding judge at the Busan High Court before he was named a constitutional justice in April 2019.

He had been serving as the acting chief of the court since the resignation of former Justice Lee Jong-seok in October last year.

Lee started out as a judge at the Seoul Central District Court and served in various roles, including as a research judge at the Supreme Court, before she was appointed as a Constitutional Court justice in April 2019.