Acting President Han Duck-soo has sparked a fresh political storm by vetoing six contentious bills on December 19, triggering a fierce dispute between the opposition-controlled National Assembly and the government. The vetoes raise critical questions about the scope of authority held by an interim leader, especially as tensions mount over Han’s power to reject legislation and approve key judicial nominations, as reported by The Korea Times.

During an extraordinary Cabinet meeting, Han endorsed a motion to reconsider four agricultural bills, the National Assembly Act, and the National Assembly Testimony Appraisal Act. The vetoed bills, passed by the National Assembly in November, include controversial amendments to the Grain Management Act, which mandates government intervention to purchase surplus rice to stabilise prices during market fluctuations. Similar legislation had been previously vetoed by President Yoon Suk Yeol, with concerns over market distortions and potential financial burdens. Han expressed apprehension that implementing such laws could lead to an oversupply of agricultural products like rice, severely impacting the market’s natural balance.

The acting president also vetoed the National Assembly Act, which sought to prevent the automatic submission of the government’s budget to plenary sessions after legal deadlines, citing risks to constitutional rights and governance. Han raised alarms over the National Assembly Testimony Appraisal Act, which mandates companies to submit requested data to lawmakers, warning that it could infringe upon individual privacy and freedom of expression, potentially leading to data leaks during parliamentary hearings.

These vetoes have exacerbated tensions between Han and opposition parties, with the latter accusing the acting president of overstepping his mandate. Opposition lawmakers have already threatened impeachment, arguing that Han’s actions are undermining democratic processes. Meanwhile, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) is pressing Han to approve judicial nominees for the Constitutional Court, a contentious matter that has added fuel to the political fire.

As the political crisis deepens, Han is also under pressure to decide on two high-stakes opposition-led bills, including the establishment of a permanent special counsel to investigate accusations against President Yoon Suk Yeol and his family. With confirmation hearings for three new Constitutional Court justices scheduled later this month, South Korea’s political landscape is set to remain volatile.