South Korea's ruling party chief said Thursday he is putting the success of his party in the next presidential election ahead of the "issue of whether I would become president."

Rep. Kim Moo-sung, chairman of the Saenuri Party, made the remark during a meeting with South Korean correspondents in New York, even though he said he considers himself "unqualified to be a presidential runner."

"The highest priority is to get the conservative, right-wing Saenuri Party to hold on to power and the issue of whether I would become president is a next question," he said.

Kim, a five-term lawmaker, has seen his popularity surge, especially after he led the party to victory in April's by-elections, with a voter survey putting him ahead of any other possible candidate in the next presidential election, set for 2017.

Kim has been on a visit to the U.S. that earlier took him to Washington, where he held a series of meetings with senior U.S.

government officials and congressional leaders to talk about North Korea, the alliance between the two countries and other issues.

"As part of parliamentary exchanges, I met with U.S. political leaders," Kim said. "I reaffirmed through the meetings that the U.S. is a staunch ally for us forever."

Kim said the U.S. has been unsuccessful in finding a solution to the North Korean nuclear issue.

"As North Korea is refusing dialogue, the U.S. has been unable to find a solution," Kim said. "The U.S. may suggest putting off the issue as the term of President (Barack) Obama is nearing its end. As our burden will be increased in such a case, we have to find a breakthrough."

Kim said U.S. politicians expressed concerns about the strained relations between Seoul and Tokyo and he told them that it is important for Japan to stop distorting history and resolve historical issues before the two countries move forward.

In New York, Kim also met with U.S. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, but details of the meeting were not immediately available. (Yonhap)