South Korea's National Assembly descended into chaos late Thursday after a physical standoff over a move to ram key reform bills through on fast-track.
The committees for judiciary and political reform were planning to grant such status to bills on electoral reform... and on creating an independent body to investigate corruption among high-ranking government and public officials.
Four parties,.... without the main opposition bloc,... agreed this week to fast track the bills' legislation.
However, their plans have been put on hold due to fierce resistance from the Liberty Korea Party -- which blocked the conference rooms for the meetings -- emphasizing that election law needs bipartisan agreement.
There's also been a backlash from some lawmakers from the minor opposition Bareun Mirae Party after their leadership replaced two of their judiciary committee members who signaled they would vote against the fast-track plan.
Although the committee managed to convene a meeting in the wee hours of this morning,... they adjourned due to a lack of quorum and resistance from the conservatives.
The ruling Democratic Party condemned the Liberty Korea Party for "illegal violence",... and called for an end to the standoff after the scuffles resulted in a number of injuries.