Discussions on revising a law to expand the definition of a family has hit a snag due to opposition from the religious sector. 

The National Assembly’s Gender Equality and Family Committee scrapped plans to hold a subcommittee meeting on Wednesday to discuss revisions to the Framework Act on Healthy Families.

A full session of the committee scheduled for Thursday was also canceled. An official said the meetings were called off after the committee was bombarded with texts and calls from religious groups protesting the revisions, on concerns that these changes would recognize same-sex marriages. 

The revisions seek to expand what defines a family to avoid any discrimination that unconventional families might suffer. Under the current law on families enacted in 2004, a family is defined as a unit formed by marriage, blood or adoption. 

A large number of religious communities believe that the revisions would lead to a surge in families not bonded by marriage and would eventually recognize same-sex marriage. 

A committee official said even if the revisions are approved, same-sex marriage would not become legal.