SOUTH Korea’s political crisis worsened today as Prime Minister Han Duck Soo vetoed several opposition Bills in parliament.

Mr Han’s veto powers come from standing in for President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose powers are suspended while courts assess whether he should be dismissed for declaring martial law and sending troops to seize the National Assembly. But the ruling and opposition parties differ on how much authority Mr Han actually has to wield presidential vetoes.

Four of the six vetoed Bills concerned state financial assistance for farming and fishing, with one requiring the state to buy up surplus rice if the market value falls below a certain level.

Another, also tabled by the Democratic Party which has a parliamentary majority while being in opposition due to not controlling the presidency, would have strengthened MPs’ power to summon people to testify to them. The party says stronger powers are needed to get to the bottom of President Yoon’s martial law shenanigans.