Saenuri Party on Thursday decided to accept seven independent lawmakers who quit the party earlier this year after failing to clinch nominations for the April 13 elections, a move that can bolsters its legislative influence.

The decision, which will bring the total number of the Saenuri lawmakers to 129 and make it the single largest party in the 300-seat National Assembly, was reached after senior party officials voted on the issue.

The independent lawmakers in point are Kang Ghil-boo, Yoo Seong-min, Joo Ho-young, Ahn Sang-soo, Yoon Sang-hyun, Chang Je-won and Lee Chul-Gyu.

Of them, Joo, Chang and Lee have yet to submit their applications to rejoin the party. The three have said that they would consider joining Saenuri after the party's decision to reaccept them. (Yonhap)