The National Assembly's opening ceremony took place nearly 100 days after the new parliament members began their work, with President Yoon Suk Yeol notably absent for the first time since the end of military dictatorship in 1987. This decision followed hearings in July for the review of an online petition calling for Yoon's impeachment, citing allegations such as the administration's interference in a Marine's death investigation and the first lady's involvement in a stock manipulation case. In Yoon's absence, the Assembly Speaker made the opening speech, apologizing for the delayed ceremony and emphasizing the importance of cooperation between the Cabinet and the Assembly. The ceremony, originally scheduled for July 5, was delayed for 95 days, the longest delay since the 1987 Constitutional reform, due to the ruling party's warnings to boycott the event over contentious bills passed by the opposition-led Assembly. The presidential office called for the "normalization" of the Assembly before inviting the president, expressing concerns that the opposition might embarrass Yoon at the ceremony. The rival parties are expected to clash over the government's 2025 budget proposal and other key issues during Monday's session, following their failure to reach a consensus on various bills, including a special counsel probe into a Marine's death and a proposal for financial aid to the population.