The ruling and opposition parties have completed the designation of chairpersons of 18 parliamentary standing committees, party officials said Friday, awaiting parliamentary approval to start their operations.

The ruling Saenuri Party appointed Rep. Yoo Seong-min as the chairman of the National Defense Committee. Yoo earned a majority of votes among party members earlier in the day and he is the final appointment of the 10 seats allotted to the party.

Rep. Kang Ghil-boo was assigned to the Strategy and Finance Committee, a popular panel among political heavyweights in both ruling and opposition camps as the December race is expected to center on welfare and economic agenda.

The main opposition Democratic United Party Thursday completed the seat assignment for eight panels, with the Legislation and Judiciary Committee to be headed by Rep. Park Young-sun, a three-term lawmaker who vowed to reform the prosecution that has often come under attack for holding unbridled power.

In 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 next plenary session is slated for Monday. (Yonhap)