Han Deok-su Exercises Veto on '6 Key Controversial Bills' (Comprehensive)

Decision as Prime Minister, Veto Power Exercised as Acting Authority
Government Opposed Bill Citing 'Fiscal Burden' and Other Reasons
"Accept Special Investigation for Internal Rebellion"… Opposition Party Intensifies Pressure

Han Duck-soo, Acting President and Prime Minister, requested the National Assembly to reconsider the contentious bills, including the Grain Management Act, which were passed solely by the opposition party. This is interpreted as a message that the government intends to maintain consistency in its administration, having previously expressed opposition due to concerns over the national fiscal burden.

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo salutes the national flag at the temporary Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News

On the morning of the 19th, Acting Prime Minister Han convened an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the Government Seoul Office and requested reconsideration of six contentious bills. As Prime Minister, he approved the request for reconsideration and then, in his capacity as Acting President, exercised the veto power. The bills in question include the Grain Management Act, the Act on Distribution and Price Stabilization of Agricultural and Fishery Products, the Agricultural and Fishery Disaster Countermeasures Act, and the Agricultural and Fishery Disaster Insurance Act?collectively known as the 'Four Agricultural Acts'?as well as amendments to the National Assembly Act and the National Assembly Witness Examination Act.

Acting Prime Minister Han stated, "In this grave situation, I have repeatedly deliberated on what choice reflects a responsible government stance as Acting President," adding, "I have listened impartially to the opinions of the citizens and businesses affected by these bills, as well as the relevant ministries." He continued, "It is with a heavy heart that I request reconsideration of these six bills at a time when cooperation between the government and both ruling and opposition parties is desperately needed," emphasizing, "I made this decision solely prioritizing the spirit of the Constitution and the future of the nation."

Acting Prime Minister Han sequentially pointed out the problems with the bills pushed through by the opposition. Regarding the amendment to the National Assembly Act, he noted, "If the mechanism that encourages the budget bill to be passed within the constitutionally stipulated deadline is removed, the approval process will be delayed as before, and the damage will directly affect the people." On the National Assembly Witness Examination Act, he explained, "Expanding the accompaniment order system to include agenda review and hearings violates constitutional principles such as proportionality," and "there is a significant risk of infringing on the fundamental right to personal liberty." Additionally, concerning the amendments to the Agricultural and Fishery Disaster Countermeasures Act and the Agricultural and Fishery Disaster Insurance Act, he said, "Compensating production costs in addition to disaster recovery expenses contradicts the basic principles of disaster support under the Disaster and Safety Act," and "there are concerns about fairness with other sectors and moral hazard."

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is presiding over an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News

The 'future of the nation,' which Acting Prime Minister Han has repeatedly emphasized, refers to fiscal issues. The government has already expressed opposition to the 'Four Agricultural Acts' citing fiscal burdens. If the Grain Management Act, which mandates the government to purchase rice compulsorily, passes, it will require trillions of won in annual fiscal expenditure. The amendment to the National Assembly Act abolishes the automatic referral system of subsidiary budget bills to the plenary session, and there were significant concerns from the business community about the National Assembly Witness Examination Act, including risks of 'core technology leakage.'

While the Democratic Party has even mentioned the possibility of 'Prime Minister impeachment' over whether to accept the veto, there is also a view that they will accept the conclusion on the contentious bills. This is because additional impeachment would inevitably cause political turmoil, and these bills are policy bills rather than subjects of political conflict. Instead, they are expected to apply stronger pressure for acceptance regarding the special investigation laws on the internal rebellion investigation and the special investigation law concerning Mrs. Kim Geon-hee. In this case, the deadline for the reconsideration request is the 31st of this month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.