National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun on Monday requested the opposition parties to delay the regular parliamentary audit, as the ruling party vowed to stage a boycott questioning the political neutrality of the parliamentary speaker.

The 20-day audit officially commenced proceedings despite predictions of a bumpy road amid the absence of the ruling Saenuri Party.

The boycott came after South Korea's opposition parties passed a motion to dismiss the country's farm minister over alleged ethical lapses, while the ruling party refused to participate in the vote.

Saenuri argued the dismissal vote was politically motivated and vowed not to participate in further parliamentary proceedings. In addition, the ruling party claimed the vote itself did not follow parliamentary rules, although Chung argued all due procedures were respected.

During the audit lawmakers were set to pose various questions to the government, including about the safety and effectiveness of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery, as well as the country's overall preparedness against natural disasters like earthquakes.

Opposition parties have not yet expressed their views in regards to Chung's request.  (Yonhap)