The main opposition Minjoo Party on Wednesday reiterated that one of its lawmakers should be named the new parliamentary speaker since it is the No. 1 party in the next National Assembly, while the ruling Saenuri Party expressed reservations about such a step.

In the April 13 quadrennial elections, the Saenuri Party suffered a resounding defeat by winning only 122 out of the 300 total seats and therefore losing its parliamentary majority and its status as the largest political party.

The Minjoo Party didn't secure a majority either but secured 123 seats.

The Minjoo Party argues that it should be able to choose the new National Assembly speaker as it became the No. 1 party in the 20th National Assembly, which will start work on May 30.

"The biggest change to come out of the opposition's victory is for Minjoo to take the parliamentary speaker position," said Lee Jong-kul, floor leader of the party.

The splinter People's Party, which grabbed more than 30 seats, agrees with the Minjoo Party and plans to take one of the co-speaker positions.

"People voted for the creation of a three-party parliament, which means we should be able to take the co-National Assembly speaker position," the party's floor leader, Joo Seung-yong, said.

The ruling Saenuri Party, however, expressed reservations about the opposition bloc's argument.

It pointed out that the speaker's position has traditionally gone to the ruling party even if it was not the largest party in parliament.

Some lawmakers said that if independent lawmakers join Saenuri, it would have the largest number of members in the next assembly.

On Tuesday Yoo Seong-min, the party's former floor leader and an independent lawmaker who left the ruling party, asked to be reinstated as a member.

"I think the Saenuri Party should follow precedence and choose the parliamentary speaker as it is still the ruling party," said Won Yoo-cheol, the party's floor leader.

On the other hand, some Saenuri members argue that the party should yield the speaker issue as the two opposition parties hold more than 150 seats together, and instead secure the powerful Legislation and Judiciary Committee chairmanship post that is usually given to the opposition.

"The key chairmanship post, along with the National Assembly Advancement Law, will effectively allow Saenuri to prevent any legislation it opposes from being passed in parliament, even if the opposition holds a combined majority," a party source said. (Yonhap)