In late January, the opposition-controlled National Assembly introduced a bill to amend the country’s Grain Management Act, with the stated goal of stabilizing the rice market by forcing the government to purchase surplus rice from the market. This bill is waiting for a plenary session vote, which Democratic Party (DP) floor leader Park Hong-geun says will happen on Friday.

President Yoon Suk-yeol has characterized the bill as the DP’s attempt to rescue their leader Lee Jae-myung from prosecution by gaining support from farmers, and he has strongly hinted that he will veto the bill if it reaches his desk.