The National Assembly is set to miss the deadline to approve the government budget for the 11th consecutive year with a long-running partisan impasse over political issues showing no signs of letup.

The legal deadline set by the Constitution for the passage of the 2014 budget is Monday. But the Assembly has yet to introduce the spending proposal to the related committee for a review as parties are at loggerheads over state agencies’ alleged electioneering and President Park Geun-hye’s controversial appointments.

The ruling Saenuri Party indicated Sunday that it may posit the bill to the parliamentary budget committee by itself on Monday.

The main opposition Democratic Party continued to boycott the proceedings in protest of the ruling party’s refusal to agree to push for an independent investigation into the National Intelligence Service over its alleged interference in last year’s presidential election.

The partisan feud worsened after the ruling party unilaterally voted to approve the nominee for the country’s chief auditor post last week.

The Saenuri Party has said that if the opposition does not return to the negotiating table, it will hold the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts by itself and push for its passage.

“If the DP does not return to talks, the Saenuri will take unilateral action (starting Monday),” Saenuri spokesman Kim Tae-heum said.

On the other hand, some members of the ruling party said an effort needs to be made to at least get the DP to join deliberations in regard to the budget.

The opposition party is likely to take a more hard-line stance, once Park appoints the chief auditor, the health minister and chief prosecutor on Tuesday as expected.

Former DP presidential candidate Moon Jae-in on Sunday sharply criticized President Park for being unwilling to investigate suspicions about the NIS’ meddling in the election.

In a press release about his upcoming book, Moon said the government massively influenced in the election. He warned that the Park administration would end up a failed government if it continues to refuse to dig up the truth.

(From news reports)