Minor party leader resigns to take responsibility for local election defeat

Seoul, Aug. 26 (Yonhap) - The leader of the minor opposition New Reform Party resigned on Wednesday, accepting full responsibility for the party's loss in the June 3 local elections. Rep. Lee Jun-seok made the announcement at a press conference at the National Assembly, revealing he had proposed party reforms since the elections, but faced insufficient backing from within.

Lee emphasized that the blame rested solely on him, the party leader, for not successfully convincing others. The New Reform Party failed to secure any of the 16 mayoral and gubernatorial positions or the 14 parliamentary seats in the June 3 elections, winning just one local council seat. The party's situation worsened when one of its candidates, Jeong Yi-han, was arrested and indicted for staging an apparent self-assault to gain voter support ahead of the elections.

Rep. Chun Ha-ram, the party's floor leader, is anticipated to assume the role of acting party leader following Lee's resignation.