The nation's ruling and main opposition parties agreed Friday to form a special parliamentary committee to formally discuss the issue of amending the Constitution, a pledge that both sides made ahead of last year's presidential election, party officials said.

The agreement, which came during a meeting between the top leaders of the ruling Saenuri Party and the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP), marks the first time the two sides have agreed to form such a committee.

The issue of revising the Constitution drew attention ahead of December's presidential election as both parties pledged to push for a constitutional amendment that would disperse power heavily concentrated with the president.

As part of her campaign, President Park Geun-hye vowed to seek amendments strengthening the people's basic rights and enabling a president to serve two four-year terms instead of a single five-year term.

"The floor leaders of both parties agreed on the need to revise the sections related to the country's power structure and other issues in the Constitution, and decided to launch a consultative body to prevent any negative results that may arise from uncoordinated discussions" a ruling party official said. (Yonhap News)