SEOUL, The ruling People Power Party (PPP) will decide who will take over as the party's interim leader by this weekend, a key party source said Tuesday.
The source made the remark in a phone call with Yonhap News Agency, saying the party will continue to collect opinions throughout the week, while it considers the pros and cons of selecting Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon as the new leader.
The PPP has held back-to-back meetings with senior members, party lawmakers and electoral district chiefs to gather ideas on who should head its emergency leadership committee after its former leader, Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon, resigned amid mounting pressure to step down as part of reform efforts.
Mainstream lawmakers aligned with President Yoon Suk Yeol have stressed that the justice minister should step in and lead the party, while non-mainstream members expressed objections, citing his lack of experience in politics.
The PPP is reportedly conducting an internal survey on whether Han should take the position.
Rep. Yun Jae-ok, the party's floor leader serving as acting chairman after Kim's departure, is supposed to name an interim leader, and the nomination will be finalized through the approval of the party's Supreme Council and the National Committee.
Source: Yonhap News Agency