A nationwide coalition of reform-minded civic and environmental groups on Thursday released a list of 66 politicians considered unqualified for candidacy in the April general elections.

An official of the Citizens' Coalition for 2004 General Elections read the list at a news conference. It includes 32 legislators from the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP), 20 from the opposition Millennium Democratic Party (MDP), seven from the pro-government Uri Party and three from the United Liberal Democrats (ULD).

The list is expected to cause controversy as it includes a number of high-profile figures, including Reps. Hong Joon-pyo and Chung Hyung-geun of the GNP, Hahn Hwa-kap of the MDP, Chyung Dai-chul of the Uri Party, Kim Jong-pil and Rhee In-je of the ULD and Chung Mong-joon of National Alliance 21.

The coalition said the 66 politicians were selected largely based on their history of involvement in corruption scandals, human rights abuses and violations of the Constitution and electoral laws.

The group is to release a second list of "unfit" politicians next Tuesday.