Chung Jin-suk, the floor leader of the ruling Saenuri Party, on Tuesday said every effort must be made to eradicate tensions among different factions, adding senior members must join forces to get the party back on its feet after its defeat in last month's poll.

"All members should join forces to do away with factional infighting. Key officials of each faction must set an example," Chung said.

The remark apparently refers to Kim Moo-sung, the party's former chairman, and Choi Kyung-hwan, the country's former finance minister. Each represents the so-called non- and pro-Park Geun-hye factions within Saenuri. Kim stepped down from the party's chairman's post following the defeat, leaving the party's leadership vacant.

The rift is cited as one reason why the party did so poorly in the April 13 polls when it won just 122 of the 300 seats up for grabs in the unicameral 300-seat National Assembly.

Chung then said the party should overhaul itself by refraining from using such terms as factionism.

Last week, Chung, Choi and Kim discussed ways to normalize the party's leadership, including giving more power to a single leader.

In the past, the party employed a collective leadership system that has been cited for fueling internal discord and bickering.

The party, meanwhile, nominated the former head of the Government Public Ethics Committee Kim Hee-ok as its interim leader. The former prosecutor and judge is expected to be officially instated on Thursday at a national gathering of party members. (Yonhap)