Seoul, Dec 04: South Korea's Parliament overrode a contentious veto today, opening an independent investigation into corruption allegations against former aides of embattled President Roh Moo-Hyun. It was the first time in 49 years that the national assembly has rejected a presidential veto, and the move sets the stage for a deepening showdown with a Roh government increasingly besieged by scandal.

Roh outraged the opposition-dominated parliament last week when he vetoed legislation to appoint an independent counsel to look into corruption charges against three former staffers.

Opposition parties boycotted the national assembly, freezing deliberation on next year's government budget and the country's plan to send up to 3,000 troops to Iraq to help US forces there.

Today's override, carried live on national television, not only clears the way for the probe, but puts parliament back on track to handle those issues.

Wheeled in the chambers for the vote was a gaunt Choe Byung-Ryol, head of the main opposition Grand National Party. On day nine of a hunger strike against Roh's veto, he appeared in a wheelchair today apparently to underline his weakened condition and dedication to the cause. Bureau Report