Main opposition party boycotts Yoon's budget speech
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| Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Lee Jae-myung speaks during a general meeting of lawmakers at the National Assembly, Oct. 25. Yonhap |
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) boycotted President Yoon Suk-yeol's budget speech Tuesday in protest of what it calls suppression of the opposition, marking the first such boycott in Korea's history.
DPK lawmakers did not attend the 10 a.m. session and instead held a silent protest upon Yoon's arrival at the National Assembly. DPK leaders also stayed away from a meeting Yoon held with the National Assembly speaker and other key figures ahead of the speech.
It marked the first opposition boycott of a budget speech the president has delivered in person, though opposition lawmakers have a record of boycotting a budget speech read by the prime minister on behalf of the president.
"We condemn Yoon Suk-yeol government for neglecting people's livelihood and suppressing the opposition," DPK lawmakers shouted in front of the main chamber.
