South Korean President Declines to Open Parliament Amid Political Turmoil

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol boycotted the National Assembly's opening ceremony, marking the first absence since the country transitioned to democracy in the late 1980s. His refusal is rooted in deepening conflicts with the opposition over allegations of corruption involving his wife and top officials. The situation has exacerbated his declining approval ratings amid economic challenges and a prolonged doctors' strike.

President Yoon Suk Yeol's unprecedented decision to skip the formal opening of South Korea's parliament on Monday underscores the escalating conflict between him and the opposition.

The tradition of presidents delivering speeches at the National Assembly's opening ceremonies was upended by Yoon, making him the first leader to miss the event since South Korea's democratic transition in the late 1980s.

Yoon, a conservative who won a narrow victory in 2022, is embroiled in political battles with a liberal-controlled parliament, which is hindering his agenda and calling for investigations into allegations of corruption among his wife and top officials.

(With inputs from agencies.)