The leading parties effectively rounded up their nominations over the weekend and stepped up their campaigns for the April 11 general elections.

They are, however, still suffering the aftermath of internal feuding over the nomination process.

The ruling Saenuri Party’s nomination committee finally announced on Sunday its candidates for key constituencies in the Gangnam area.

The list came in time for the candidate registration period, slated for this Thursday and Friday, but has repeatedly been held back by equity disputes and ethics scandals.

Rep. Yoo Jung-hyun, former news anchor and first-term lawmaker, joined the list of party defectors Sunday in protest of the party’s nomination results.

“The screening process was filled with irregularities,” he said, pledging to enter the race as an independent candidate.

“The party not only let down its members’ trust but also discarded the voters’ preference.”

Yoo failed to win the party’s candidacy in his constituency in northern Seoul, though he was ahead of his rivals in polls, he said.

He and other pro-Lee Myung-bak figures claimed that the party leadership intentionally excluded them from nomination.

“Rep. Park Geun-hye should take full responsibility for the results of the April race,” said Rep. Chung Mong-joon, a leading pro-Lee figure.

“She should first renew the decision-making body and then start anew in order to boost the party to victory.”

Former chairman Chung also blamed Park for inciting factional disputes and ignoring complaints under the pretext of unity.

The party was also blamed for nominating Suk Ho-ick in a North Gyeongsang constituency, even though he gave up his candidacy Sunday and decided to run independently.

The main opposition Democratic United Party, on the other hand, is still plagued by bribery scandals involving some former candidates.

The party earlier called off the candidacy of Rep. Jeon Hae-sook and former lawmaker Lee Hwa-young, respectively, on allegations of handing over money to local figures and taking bribes from savings banks officials.

The corresponding members, however, lashed back at the party’s decision, citing the case of secretary-general Lim Jong-seok who was appointed to his post despite his conviction.

The party also held preliminary races with the minority Unified Progressive Party in various areas over the weekend, in a joint effort to achieve unity ahead of the elections.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)