A three-term moderate lawmaker was elected as the new floor leader of the main opposition party New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) Thursday.

Rep. Woo Yoon-keun replaced Rep. Park Young-sun who resigned last week following a recurring internal feud over a law bill aimed at determining the truthbehind April's deadly ferry sinking. He will serve out the remaining seven-month term left by his predecessor.

The new floor leader beat rival Rep. Lee Jong-guil in a run-off vote, earning 65 of the total 118 votes cast. The No. 1 opposition party has 130 seats under its control in the 299-member single-house National Assembly.

Woo is believed to have received support from a former mainstream faction close to the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, a move that may deepen internal discord ahead of a national convention in May next year during which the party should elect its new chief.

Born in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, Woo worked as a lawyer until he was elected to parliament in the 2004 general elections. (Yonhap)