Physical clashes between opposition lawmakers and National Assembly guards erupted inside the Assembly building Saturday as the Assembly secretariat attempted to break up the lawmakers' occupation of the legislature's main chamber.

The scuffle broke out between lawmakers of the largest opposition Democratic Party (DP) and about 200 guards mobilized by the secretariat at 12:50 p.m. in front of the entrance of the main chamber after inter-party negotiations on disputed bills were suspended.

The DP has objected to the passage of a motion to ratify the free trade agreement between Korea and the United States (KORUS FTA) and seven media-related bills which critics say could allow conservative newspaper companies and chaebol to control broadcasting networks.

Opposition parties have called for more relief programs to assist local farmers and companies, expected to suffer business losses if the trade pact goes into effect.

Physical struggle between Assembly guards and DP legislators took place again around 5 p.m. But the guards failed to disband the sit-in.

The secretariat plans to mobilize more guards to break up the DP lawmakers' sit-in at the main chamber, sources said.

The governing Grand National Party (GNP) has called on Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o to invoke his right to break up the occupation and put the bills to a vote.

The conservative GNP has 172 seats in the 299-member unicameral legislature, enough to ensure the passage of any bills, except for a revision of the Constitution, without the participation of opposition legislators. The liberal DP has 83 seats.

jckim@koreatimes.co.kr