Key facts
- Rep. Jung Chung-rae resigned as chairman of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party.
- The resignation is seen as a step toward seeking reelection at the party's national convention in August.
- DP floor leader Han Byung-do will serve as acting party leader until the convention.
Rep. Jung Chung-rae of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party resigned as chairman of the party on Wednesday. This move is widely viewed as a strategic step to enable him to seek reelection for another term at the party's national convention, which is scheduled for August.
During a meeting of the party's supreme council at the National Assembly, Jung stated, "I spent many sleepless nights looking back on myself and my political life." He formally announced his resignation as party leader.
Following Jung's departure, the party's floor leader, Han Byung-do, will assume the role of acting party leader until the national convention takes place.