Prime Minister Han Duck-soo bangs the gavel during a Cabinet meeting at Government Complex Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

President Yoon Suk Yeol vetoed an opposition-led bill seeking to initiate a special counsel investigation into a Marine's death on Tuesday, following the Cabinet's endorsement of the veto motion.

The veto is expected to become another conflict between the ruling and opposition bloc as this marked Yoon's 10th veto of a bill since taking office in May 2022 after the opposition, taking advantage of its majority position, railroaded contentious bills.

Earlier in the day, the Cabinet approved the motion demanding the National Assembly reconsider the bill mandating a special counsel investigation into the military's response to a Marine's death last year. Hours later, Yoon endorsed it.

"The presdient requested the Assembly to reconsider the bill," presidential chief of staff Chung Jin-suk said in a press briefing. "The bill goes against the constitutional spirit and the purpose of the special counsel probe system ... it also cannot guarantee the fairness and neutrality of the probe."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo also said during the Cabinet meeting that the bill exhibits numerous flaws in its discussion process and the method of recommending a special prosecutor, expressing concerns that the investigation may not be conducted fairly or reliably.

"The latest bill was railroaded by the opposition party and gives the opposition the sole right to recommend candidates for the special counsel, which can violate the president's right to make personnel appointments and potentially undermine constitutional principles," Han said while presiding over the Cabinet meeting.

The opposition-controlled Assembly earlier passed the special counsel bill during a plenary session on May 2, while the ruling People Power Party (PPP) members exited the session in protest. The bill is aimed at probing the government's alleged interference in the military's investigation into the death of Marine Cpl. Chae Su-geun during a flood rescue operation in July 2023.

Yoon had already indicated his willingness to veto the bill during his press conference on May 9, saying that an investigation by the police and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) is currently underway.

Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung, front row second from left, and minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk, front row right, stage a protest in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday, urging President Yoon Suk Yeol to accept a special counsel probe over a Marine's death in 2023. Yonhap

Regarding the veto, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) announced its intention to reintroduce the bill through a revote during a plenary session scheduled for May 28.

For a bill to pass the Assembly in a revote, it requires a majority of the parliament to be present and two-thirds of them to cast their votes in favor. The DPK currently holds 155 seats out of a 295-member Assembly. When seats held by other opposition parties are added, the number increases to 180. This is not enough for the opposition to override the veto in a revote on its own, meaning the opposition needs at least 17 votes from PPP members.

DPK floor leader Rep. Park Chan-dae called the president's veto "a war on opposition parties and the people."

"We will seek all possible measures and join with the people to respond to the Yoon administration," Park said.

Minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk compared Yoon to former President Syngman Rhee, who wielded dictatorial power by vetoing 45 bills.

"In order for the president to veto a bill passed by the Assembly, it must meet the interest of all people's needs. It is unconstitutional for the president to exercise his veto power mainly for his personal benefits," Cho said.

Meanwhile, the PPP defended Yoon's decision, calling it a "minimal defensive measure."

"I don't understand why people are focused on the political battle over a case that's already under investigation," PPP floor leader Rep. Choo Kyung-ho said. "If opposition parties dominate and abuse legislative power to infringe upon the president's authority, he has no other choice but to take a minimal defensive measure."