A veteran lawmaker announced his defection from the main opposition party Tuesday to create a new party ahead of general elections in April.
  

"I will take a step to re-organize the opposition and build a new political force," Rep. Park Joo-sun said at a press conference at the National Assembly.
   

The three-term lawmaker criticized the leadership of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy amid months of internal factional strife and calls for the resignation of Chairman Moon Jae-in.
  

"I have long waited for the change but have a serious doubt about the leadership of the party," Park said.
  

The prosecutor-turned-legislator said that creating the new party is the only way to defeat the ruling Saenuri Party in the next elections.
  

On Monday, Moon called off his earlier proposal to convene a confidence vote after the party's executive committee confirmed the party members' support for his leadership. (Yonhap)