SEOUL – South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol skipped the ceremony marking the opening of Parliament on Sept 2, the nation’s first leader to do so in more than three decades, in a sign of the bipartisan strife that is casting a shadow over the government’s prospects for achieving key policy initiatives.

       Mr Yoon decided to skip the event that began at 2pm (1pm Singapore time), citing the opposition’s “unilateral actions” to push for special counsel and impeachment procedures, South Korea’s Yonhap News reported, adding that it was the first such instance since 1987.

       An official at the presidential office confirmed the report.

       Mr Yoon’s absence signals more headwinds to come as his administration pushes for a number of pro-business policies.

       In July, South Korea announced a raft of proposed tax benefits, including a cut to one of the world’s heaviest inheritance levies, as it seeks to boost stocks and stimulate an economy under pressure from ageing demographics and slowing consumption.

       The changes need approval by the opposition-controlled Parliament.

       President Yoon has little room to manoeuvre for the remaining three years of his single, five-year term after April parliamentary elections where the opposition bloc led by the progressive Democratic Party increased its majority.

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       Mr Yoon’s approval rating was at a three-month low of 23 per cent in a weekly Gallup Korea tracking poll released on Aug 30.

       Policies being pushed by the Democratic Party include a 13 trillion won (S$12.7 billion) plan to extend cash handouts to house-holds as a way to boost flagging consumer demand.

       Mr Yoon has rejected the idea, saying it would spur inflation and strain the budget.

       The Democratic Party has also- sought legislation to start an investigation of Mr Yoon’s wife, Ms Kim Keon-hee, after a secretly recorded video that showed her receiving a Dior handbag surfaced several months ago.

       Mr Yoon and Ms Kim have denied any wrongdoing, though the President apologised in May for causing concern to the public for his wife’s “unwise behaviour”.

       The Sept 2 ceremony took place a day after a meeting at the weekend between the leaders of the rival parties in a rare attempt to seek cooperation on pending Bills.

       They agreed to launch a policy consultative channel but failed to narrow the gap on key issues such as abolishing the capital gains tax or providing cash handouts. BLOOMBERG