Acting President Han Duck-soo speaks during an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the Government Complex Seoul, Thursday. Joint Press Corps

Acting President Han Duck-soo vetoed six contentious bills on Thursday, as tensions continue to escalate between the opposition-controlled National Assembly and the government over whether an interim leader has the authority to exercise veto power and approve nominations for new Constitutional Court justices.

Han endorsed a Cabinet motion calling for the reconsideration of four agricultural bills, the National Assembly Act, and the National Assembly Testimony Appraisal Act.

"As acting president, I deliberated on what would be a responsible government's stance in this very grave situation. We put priority on whether the bill corresponds with the Constitution and how it will affect the nation's future," Han said during an extraordinary Cabinet meeting, Thursday.

The four agricultural bills, which were passed in the National Assembly on Nov. 28, include amendments to the Grain Management Act, which requires the government to purchase surplus rice to stabilize prices during market fluctuations. A similar bill was vetoed by President Yoon Suk Yeol in April last year and was scrapped in a revote. Others are amendments to the Distribution and Price Stability of Agricultural and Fishery Products Act, the Prevention and Countermeasures against Agricultural and Fishery Disasters Act and the Agricultural and Fishery Disaster Insurance Act.

"If these laws are implemented, there will be concerns about the oversupply of items such as rice by distorting the market's function, resulting in a huge financial burden," Han said.

He also gave reasons for vetoing two other bills — the National Assembly Act, which is aimed at preventing the automatic submission of the government budget to the plenary session after the legal deadline, and the National Assembly Testimony Appraisal Act, which requires companies to submit requested data to lawmakers. Han pointed out the potential risks of constitutional violation and data leaks during parliamentary testimonies.

"Our Constitution stipulates that citizens' rights may only be restricted to the minimum extent necessary when there is reasonable cause in legislation. There is a risk of infringing on individuals' rights to privacy and freedom of expression, including the right to protect personal information," Han said.

It remains to be seen whether the acting president will also veto two key opposition-led bills, mandating a permanent special counsel to investigate insurrection charges against President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law declaration, as well as allegations against first lady Kim Keon Hee, who is accused of illegally accepting a luxury handbag from a Korean-American pastor and being involved in a stock manipulation scheme.

Han is also considering whether to approve three nominees for Constitutional Court justices, amid pressure from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) to delay the decision until Yoon's impeachment trial is concluded. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik called on Han to expedite filling the Constitutional Court's three vacant seats to stabilize state affairs. The confirmation hearings on the nominations of three justices is set to take place between Dec. 23-24.

Rep. Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) warned that it could seek Han's impeachment, depending on how the acting president decides regarding the mandate for a special counsel to investigate the president and first lady, as well as the appointment of the three Constitutional Court justices.

"This is a clear infringement of legislative power. Is this Yoon Suk Yeol 2.0? It seems like Han still doesn't know who to follow. What he must do now is to follow the will of the people, instead of being a puppet of Yoon and his insurrectionist associates," said Rep. Jo Seoung-lae, the DPK's senior spokesperson.

The minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP) urged the acting president to exercise restraint and maintain the status quo.

"Han cast a veto today, bringing the total number of bills vetoed by this administration up to 31. Han, who has repeated Yoon's vetoes, should be impeached," said Rep. Kim Sun-min, acting chairman of the RKP. "An acting president should take a more passive approach on politically contentious matters and maintain the status quo."

Meanwhile, the PPP defended Han's veto power, urging the DPK to refrain from threatening the acting president.

"What's the intention behind threatening Han with impeachment again when he exercised his right asking the Assembly to reconsider? The DPK must stop its unilateral legislative push that causes political strife. We must prioritize efforts to improve people's livelihoods," said Rep. Park Soo-min, a PPP spokesperson.