The ruling and opposition parties are divided over designating chairpersons of key parliamentary standing committees a month before the new parliament assumes its duties, officials said Sunday.

The ruling Saenuri Party expects to secure eight chairmanships out of 18 parliamentary standing committees, especially those related to state affairs and national security, its officials said.

As the main opposition Minjoo Party lawmaker chaired the powerful Legislation and Judiciary Committee in the 19th National Assembly, the ruling party expects to take control of the committee in the newly formed parliament set to kick off on May 30.

The party lost its status as the largest political party in the April 13 elections, winning only 122 out of 300 total seats.

The Minjoo Party and the People's Party secured 123 and 38 seats, respectively. Seventeen other seats went to independents and members of another minor party.

The main opposition Minjoo Party aims to secure another eight chairmanships, especially of committees related to economics and social issues.

"If the ruling party takes the chairmanship for national defense and foreign affairs, we need to have key positions in economic sectors," Lee Jong-kul, floor leader of the main opposition party, told Yonhap News Agency.

The party also demands the chairmanship for the Legislation and Judiciary Committee as it has always been given to the leading opposition party.

In South Korea's unicameral parliament, the judiciary committee is considered to play the role of the Upper House or Senate as it reviews bills before they are sent to the plenary session for approval. The committee can effectively block any bill from reaching the plenary session, where it will be voted on by lawmakers.

The splinter People's Party, which rose as a formidable political force to be reckoned with during the latest elections, is focusing on chairing committees on rural affairs, according to its officials.

"As many of our lawmakers are based in Honam -- South Korea's southwestern region -- we need committees to deal with regional issues," Joo Seung-yong, floor leader of the People's Party, told Yonhap News Agency.

The splinter party could also try to take the chairmanship for the judiciary committee if the ruling Saenuri and the main opposition Minjoo Party take the parliamentary speaker position and the chairman position for the Steering Committee of the National Assembly, political watchers said.

As the People's Party's cooperation is crucial for the Minjoo Party to become the speaker of parliament, some experts said the minor opposition party holds solid bargaining power for legislation committee chairmanship. (Yonhap)