South Korea party leader quits before poll

The leader of South Korea's pro-government Uri Party resigned from two key posts yesterday just three days before a pivotal parliamentary election, throwing his party into turmoil in the heat of a close race.

Chung Dong-young had been under fire for off-the-cuff remarks made last month. Trying to encourage young people to vote for the Uri Party, he said older voters should rest at home on election day on Thursday and let young people decide the country's future.

Without mentioning the gaffe for which he has apologised almost daily, he told a news conference at party headquarters in Seoul that he was resigning from his post as election chairman and dropping out of the race for a seat in parliament.

He said he was "putting the party chairmanship on the line" pending the outcome of Thursday's election, the campaigning for which has been, by contrast, remarkably low key.

He initially said he would immediately join other junior parliamentarians in a widening hunger strike to protest against the resurgence of the main conservative opposition Grand National Party, but he later backtracked and urged others to stop their fast and get out and campaign.

"I'll fulfil all of my responsibilities to save President Roh Moo-hyun and block machinations by opposition parties," Mr Chung said, noting the opposition-controlled parliament had impeached Mr Roh exactly a month ago.