PPP leader Han Dong-hoon offers to step down following election defeat

People Power Party interim chief Han Dong-hoon speaks during a press conference held at the party headquarters in Yeouido, western Seoul on Thursday. [NEWS1]

Ruling People Power Party (PPP) interim chief Han Dong-hoon offered to resign following his party's defeat in the general election on Thursday morning.

“The public opinion is always right,” said Han during a press conference. “On behalf of our party, I apologize for not being chosen by the people. I accept the meaning of the results sternly and am deeply reflecting on myself. I will take full responsibility for the election results and step down from my position.”

Han extended his congratulations to “all the elected candidates” and called for “politics that conform to the will of the people.” He also thanked citizens and party members who “fought fiercely and supported” the PPP.

“I hope that the promise of political reform that we made to the people will be implemented without interruption, and I will consider how I can regain the trust of the people,” Han said.

Han did not specify any future plans for himself when asked by reporters.

Han took over as interim chief of the PPP on Dec. 26 last year when former party leader Kim Gi-hyeon resigned. He led the PPP’s general election campaign but saw defeat, with the PPP gaining only 90 seats out of the 254 regional constituencies. The Democratic Party (DP) won with 161 seats.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]