Ruling and opposition parties have tentatively agreed to set up an independent commission outside of parliament to look into wrongdoings and human rights abuses under Japanese colonial rule and previous authoritarian governments.

The rival parties appear to be giving in to demands by local civic groups and victims' organizations to establish such a commission in order to reevaluate South Korea's modern history.

A lawmaker of the ruling Uri Party suggested that parliament could form its own special committee to discuss related legislation.

The opposition Grand National Party said it welcomed suggestions for such a panel, but said it was against civic groups' demands that the commission be set up as a government agency.