The two leaders of the People's Party offered to resign on Wednesday, taking "political" responsibility for a high-profile corruption scandal involving three members of the fledgling minor opposition party.
Reps. Ahn Cheol-soo and Chun Jung-bae announced their decision to step down as the party reels from the scandal that erupted earlier this month after the state election watchdog claimed that their party members received hundreds of millions of won in illicit political funds from two local firms in the runup to the April 13 parliamentary polls.
"I believe I should take all political responsibility for the case," Ahn told reporters after a meeting with senior party officials at the National Assembly. "I would put down the co-chairmanship to take responsibility."
The scandal has dealt a serious blow to the party that has pledged to pursue a "new type of politics" and become an alternative to the establishment parties that critics say have been mired in factionalism and partisan politics. It was also a major setback for Ahn, a potential presidential contender.
Reps. Ahn Cheol-soo (right) and Chun Jung-bae, the two co-chairs of the minor opposition People's Party, attend a meeting of senior party officials at the National Assembly on June 29. (Yonhap)
Following the resignation of the two leaders, the party's current leadership is likely to be replaced by an interim leadership.
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