Rep. Kwon Young-se, right, interim leader of the ruling People Power Party, speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Monday, following the Constitutional Court's dismissal of a motion to impeach Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Left is the party's floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong. Yonhap

The ruling party and the presidential office on Monday welcomed the Constitutional Court's decision to dismiss a motion to impeach Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, while opposition party lawmakers urged him to appoint a Constitutional Court justice candidate the opposition nominated immediately.

Han was immediately reinstated as prime minister and acting president following the court's ruling. He had been impeached over accusations of failing to prevent President Yoon Suk Yeol from imposing martial law during a Cabinet meeting held just minutes before its declaration on Dec. 3.

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) said the court's decision was no surprise and demanded an apology from Rep. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).

"Lee must apologize to the people for paralyzing state affairs for 87 days with a politically motivated and hasty impeachment attempt," PPP floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong said.

The PPP's interim leader, Rep. Kwon Young-se, said, "The court's ruling reaffirms that the impeachment motion led by the DPK was a politically motivated act aimed at undermining the constitutional order."

Kwon urged the DPK to withdraw its impeachment motion against Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, calling it a move that serves no purpose other than fueling political strife.

PPP lawmakers, including Reps. Kim Gi-hyeon and Na Kyung-won, visited the Constitutional Court to observe its dismissal of the impeachment motion against Han.

They hailed the decision and expressed optimism that the court will soon reach a similar conclusion — either dismissal or rejection — on the impeachment motion against Yoon.

The presidential office also welcomed the court's reinstatement of Han and said the opposition-controlled National Assembly is abusing its power to impeach government officials.

"We hope that Han's return to duty marks the beginning of a return to normal governance," the office said in a press release.

Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung, third from left, and floor leader Rep. Park Chan-dae, second from right, hold placards during a signboard unveiling ceremony for the party's temporary headquarters near Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Meanwhile, the DPK expressed regret over the court's decision while urging Han to appoint opposition-recommended Constitutional Court justice nominee Ma Eun-hyuk as the ninth justice ahead of the court's pending ruling on the president.

At least six justices need to vote to uphold Yoon's impeachment. The court, by statute, consists of nine justices, but it currently operates with eight.

"The court made it clear that it is unconstitutional not to appoint the three Constitutional Court justice nominees recommended by the National Assembly," DPK floor leader Rep. Park Chan-dae said during a party Supreme Council meeting held at a tent for outdoor rallies in Gwanghwamun Square.

"Serving as acting president comes with the grave responsibility of upholding the Constitution, and we strongly insist Han to immediately appoint Ma to the bench," he added.

Park also called on the court to deliver its verdict on Yoon's impeachment as early as Tuesday.

Lee questioned whether the public would accept the court's decision, noting that fear and division are spreading nationwide as the court delays its ruling on Yoon's impeachment.

"A swift ruling is the only way to end the turmoil and restore normalcy," he said.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said he respects the court's ruling, while also calling for the prompt appointment of Ma.

Choi, who served as acting president after Han was impeached, appointed two justices to the court in December but withheld the appointment of Ma, citing the need for bipartisan consensus.