Ahn Cheol-soo, former co-chairman of the main opposition party, said Monday that he plans to launch a new political party by early February for April's general elections.

"I plan to show the details of the new party before the Lunar New Year holiday in February," Ahn told reporters at the National Assembly. The holiday falls on Feb. 8.

Ahn, who co-led the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy last year, announced his departure earlier this month following internal strife with incumbent Chairman Moon Jae-in.

"I will change the administration and push forward with the new politics centered on improving people's livelihoods," Ahn said.

Ahn had called for the resignation of Moon and party reform following the NPAD's crushing defeat in the parliamentary by-elections in April. He left the party when negotiations with Moon over a leadership change fell through.

Ahn said he is open to joining hands with other former NPAD lawmakers but not with the NPAD itself.

Reps. Chun Jung-bae and Park Joo-sun, who left the NPAD earlier this year, also said that they are willing to consider partnerships with Ahn.

Four NPAD lawmakers who quit the party following Ahn's departure were also present at Ahn's press conference on Monday.

Reps. Kim Dong-cheol, Moon Byung-ho, Yoo Sung-yop and Hwang Ju-hong said that they are leaving the party to help reorganize the opposition bloc.

Ahn, the founder of the nation's largest anti-virus software firm Ahnlab Co., co-founded the NPAD with former Chairman Kim Han-gil and Moon, after merging the main opposition Democratic Party and his supporters. (Yonhap)