Seoul: The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) boycotted President Lee Jae Myung's budget speech on Tuesday in a significant protest against a special counsel team's decision to seek an arrest warrant for one of its lawmakers, linked to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's alleged martial law bid.

According to Yonhap News Agency, PPP lawmakers abstained from the 10 a.m. parliamentary session, instead organizing a rally as President Lee arrived at the National Assembly to present his speech. Wearing black masks, they displayed placards denouncing what they termed an "unlawful" special counsel probe. Some members of the party vocally expressed their dissent, shouting, "A criminal has arrived!" and "Get lost!" at the president.

Despite the absence of all PPP lawmakers, President Lee proceeded with his speech, advocating for bipartisan collaboration. He emphasized, "Although there are differences between the ruling and opposition parties in their stance and while such a regrettable reality has happened, I believe we share in common our sincerity in serving the people and the nation."

Following a closed-door meeting, PPP lawmakers released a statement rebuking the Lee administration for "oppression of the opposition" and "political retaliation." The boycott was initiated after the special counsel team, investigating various allegations surrounding Yoon's martial law attempt in December, filed for the arrest of PPP Representative Choo Kyung-ho the previous day.

Rep. Choo is accused of preventing other PPP lawmakers from participating in a parliamentary vote to lift the martial law decree by altering the location of an emergency general meeting of PPP lawmakers three times. The special counsel team suspects that Choo, then the floor leader, made these changes at Yoon's behest.

Choo has consistently denied any prior knowledge of Yoon's plans to impose martial law and has stated he did not engage in discussions with the former president concerning the obstruction of the vote. By law, arresting a sitting lawmaker requires parliamentary consent.

Choo addressed reporters at the National Assembly, declaring his intention to waive his immunity from arrest and confront the allegations directly. He stated his refusal to "hide behind" the immunity, dismissing claims from the special counsel that he played a pivotal role in the martial law attempt.