Democratic United Party floor leader Rep. Park Jie-won resigned on Friday in a show of responsibility as the main opposition party reels from its presidential election defeat on Dec. 19.

The party’s chief policymaker Rep. Lee Yong-sup followed suit and stepped down from the post as the in-party factional divide magnified upon former presidential candidate Moon Jae-in’s failed bid.

“We were defeated even though the lawmakers did their best in all parts of the nation to open a new era,” Park said at the party’s general assembly. “We must walk toward the path of desperate introspection and fierce innovation.”

Park and Lee’s resignations came a month after the other members of the leadership, including former chairman Lee Hae-chan, stepped down over a prolonged single candidacy negotiation between Moon and former independent candidate Ahn Cheol-soo.

Until the party holds a caucus to elect a new chairman, the party will be run by an emergency committee. Moon, who has been acting as the party chairman, will be appointing the temporary post.

Senior deputy floor leader Park Ki-choon for the time being will lead the parliamentary decisions on such pending issues as the budget for next year, the party explained.

Collision between the factions intensified as the sidelined members blamed the mainstream members loyal to former President Roh Moo-hyun for the failed attempt at administrative change.

A fierce battle of power among the non-Roh and pro-Roh factions is anticipated as they each eye the next leadership.

The non-Roh members, who held an emergency meeting ahead of the general assembly, demand a thorough reflection and evaluation of the failed presidential campaign, claiming Park’s resignation is an attempt to airbrush the problem. The botched union with Ahn as well as mediocre self-reform measures by then-leadership of Lee Hae-chan have been named as some of the reasons for their campaign collapse. Lee was prime minister during the Roh administration.

Some dissidents also reportedly demand that Moon his de-facto chairman status and allow the next floor leader, picked by lawmakers, head the emergency committee instead.

By Lee Joo-hee (jhl@heraldcorp.com)