Kim Gi-hyeon, the chairman of South Korea's ruling People Power Party (PPP), announced on Wednesday in a Facebook post that he will be resigning from his post.
His decision comes a day after one of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's closest confidantes, Chang Je-won, shared he will not be participating in the upcoming general elections, with the aim to help the party win over voters' trust. His move was expected to likely force other senior members of the party, including Kim, to do the same.
Kim, who enjoyed the support of Yoon, will be leaving the position only nine months after he was elected chairman. "I hope that all members of our party will gather strength with a spirit of unity and inclusiveness to gain the hearts of the people through self-discipline and compassion," Kim wrote.