Main opposition party to elect new floor leader on Dec. 11

Rep. Na Kyung-won, right, of the main opposition LIberty Korea Party (LKP) will run for the LKP's floor leader election, Dec. 11. / Yonhap

By Yi Whan-woo

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) plans to elect its new floor leader, Dec. 11

“The party will run a general meeting at 3 p.m., Dec. 11 at the National Assembly to pick a new floor leader,” LKP floor leader Rep. Kim Sung-tae said Sunday in a text message to other party legislators.

Kim's one-year term will end on Dec. 11.

He said the party will also elect its new chief policymaker on Dec. 11.

Four lawmakers ― Kim Young-woo, Kim Hack-yong, Na Kyung-won and Yoo Ki-jun ― have announced their bid for the floor leader position.

Each of the four will need to pick a “running mate,” who will be a candidate for the chief policymaker's seat.

On Sunday, Na announced Rep. Jeong Yong-ki and Kim Hack-yong announced Rep. Kim Jong-seok as their chief policymaker candidates.

Kim Young-woo and Yoo have not decided yet.

“It appears the remaining two will consider faction, hometown and other factors that can help them expand their support in picking their respective running mate,” a party lawmaker said.

The party has been struggling with a factional divide, mainly between loyalists of ousted President Park Geun-hye and those against her.