S. Korean Splinter Parties Block First Meeting of Constitution Panel

Disgruntled members of two minor opposition parties blocked the opening session Thursday of a bipartisan committee charged with drafting South Korea’s constitution.

About 30 lawmakers formed human barricades, blocking the entry to a room in the National Assembly building where the committee was to meet.

The committee, made up of four senior officials from the governing Democratic Justice Party and four from the main opposition Reunification Democratic Party, hopes to lay the groundwork for a constitution guaranteeing full democracy in South Korea.

Political leaders have tried to persuade the minor parties to back off, but they insist that the committee provide seats for them.

Committee members said they will meet with leaders of the splinter group before scheduling another session.

Lee Bong Mo, secretary general of the Korea National Party, one of the protesting groups, said that his party was in the forefront in submitting a constitutional revision bill to Congress.

“Why shouldn’t we have the right to participate in the political meeting?” Lee declared.

The constitutional draft produced by the committee is to be presented to the National Assembly in September for approval. It then will be put to a referendum.

The committee also will set a timetable for new presidential elections.