Minor right-wing party chair resigns

Rep. Lee Jun-seok, of the minor conservative Reform Party, resigned as party leader Wednesday.

Lee cited a lack of support from within the party in his monthslong reform push since the party's loss in major races in the June local elections and parliamentary by-elections.

"I take full responsibility as party chair for failing to persuade (my fellow party members)," Lee said.

"If I'm standing in the way of other members, my resignation will be a path for the party."

According to the party, Floor Leader Rep. Chun Ha-ram will serve as interim chair until its national convention is held within two months.

The party's supreme council members stepped down alongside Lee.

Lee has been under pressure since the party was embroiled in a scandal involving Busan mayoral election candidate Jeong Yi-han, who was accused of staging an attack on himself.

Jeong claimed he was attacked while campaigning but it was later discovered that he and his fitness trainer had staged the attack. Jeong has been detained since July for an alleged violation of the Public Official Election Act and obstruction of public duty and is awaiting a criminal court trial.

Lee did not comment on Jeong's case.

Lee formerly chaired the conservative People Power Party, the second-largest party in South Korea's National Assembly. He led the party to victories in the 2022 presidential election and the 2022 local elections, but was later forced out amid corruption allegations and tensions with then-President Yoon Suk Yeol.

He founded the Reform Party in 2023, and served as party chair since July 2025.