Kim Han-gil, who was elected Saturday to head the Democratic Party, pledged to end factionalism, push for reforms and build a competent and accountable opposition party.

The four-term lawmaker, seen as coming from outside the party mainstream, defeated Lee Yong-sup, who was backed by the party’s largest faction by a larger-than-expected margin of 23 percentage points in the two-way election.

“I feel heavy responsibility for being elected with the overwhelming support of the party and the public. The fact that I, who do not belong to any faction, have been elected is a symbol of big changes for the Democratic Party,” Kim said.

He added that he would remove factionalism from the party and unite its members.

“We can survive only when we change everything except for the soul of the Democratic Party that we have kept over the past 60 years.”

Previously known as the Democratic United Party, the party changed its name just before the vote.

The election is widely seen as a punishment of the pro-Roh Moo-hyun group that dominated the opposition circles for nearly a decade and was blamed for a series of election defeats.

Along with Kim, Shin Kyoung-min, Cho Kyoung-tae, Yang Seoung-jo and Woo Won-shik were elected as members of the party’s supreme council. None of them came from the pro-Roh faction.

Kim also called on the government to establish a negotiation group in which the president and the heads of the ruling and opposition parties would take part.

“I suggest a ruling-opposition negotiation group in which the president participates. The Democratic Party is prepared to fully cooperate with the government and the ruling party if it is for the livelihood of the people,” Kim said.

He went on to warn that the party will show its “frightening” side if the government “ignores the people and the opposition party.”

Kim, formerly a novelist, TV host, culture minister and presidential secretary, is said to be a sharp strategist credited with playing a vital role in the election campaigns of former presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun.

Since its defeat in last year’s presidential election, the main opposition party has been suffering from dropping support and infighting.

Being blamed for the defeat, the pro-Roh Moo-hyun faction, which has dominated not only the Democratic Party but also the overall progressive bloc in recent years, has been pushed into an increasingly precarious position.

The struggling party was dealt another blow in the April 24 by-elections, in which it failed to win any parliamentary, local administration or Assembly seats.

In addition, the return of its former ally Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo has raised concerns about its future.

Although Ahn has yet to decide whether he will establish a new party, observers say that a party led by the former presidential candidate could destabilize the Democratic Party’s role as the main opposition.

The party has also been accused of abandoning progressive ideals after the party doctrine was revised.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)