Ma Eun-hyuk, regarded as liberal-leaning, begins his six-year term after a 104-day delay in his appointment by two acting presidents

Newly appointed Constitutional Court Justice Ma Eun-hyuk gives a speech during his inauguration ceremony held at the court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday. (Yonhap)
Newly appointed Constitutional Court Justice Ma Eun-hyuk gives a speech during his inauguration ceremony held at the court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday. (Yonhap)

Newly appointed Constitutional Court Justice Ma Eun-hyuk began his six-year term on Wednesday, ending a six-month period during which the top court's bench was short-staffed.

With his appointment, the Constitutional Court is now back to a full bench of nine justices for the first time since last October. Ma will serve until April 8, 2031.

Nine justices of the Constitutional Court, including the newly-appointed Ma Eun-hyuk (fourth from right), at Ma's inauguration ceremony held at the court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday (Yonhap)
Nine justices of the Constitutional Court, including the newly-appointed Ma Eun-hyuk (fourth from right), at Ma's inauguration ceremony held at the court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday (Yonhap)

Although Ma was one of the three justice nominees formally endorsed by the National Assembly on Dec. 26, 2024, the two acting presidents who served after the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 14 refused to appoint him for more than 100 days.

Of the three Assembly-selected justices, Ma was one of the two nominated by the liberal Democratic Party of Korea, contributing to the perception that Ma is liberal-leaning.

Ma graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in political science, passed the bar exam in 1997 and has served as a judge in various district courts.

In his inauguration speech, Ma stated that he will interpret the Constitution solely based on its fundamental principles.


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