Rep. Lee Jun-seok enters the press conference at the National Assembly on Wednesday. (Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald) Rep. Lee Jun-seok, chair of the minor conservative Reform Party chair, resigned as party leader Wednesday.Lee cited a lack of support from within the party in his monthslong reform push since the party's loss in major races in the June local elections and parliamentary by-elections."I have the full responsibility as the party chair for failing to persuade (my fellow party members)," Lee said."If I'm standing in the way of other members, my resignation will be the path for the party."According to the party, Floor Leader Rep. Chun Ha-ram will serve as interim chair until its national convention is held, while its supreme council members stepped down alongside Lee.Lee has been under pressure since the party was embroiled in a scandal as Busan mayoral election candidate Jeong Yi-han was accused of staging a terrorist attack against himself with his friend. Jeong has been detained since July for his alleged violation of Public Official Election Act and obstruction of public duty and is awaiting a criminal court trial.Lee did not comment on Jeong's case.Lee formerly chaired the conservative People Power Party, the second-largest party in South Korea's National Assembly. He led the party to victories in the 2022 presidential election and the 2022 local elections, but was later forced out amid corruption allegations and tensions with then-President Yoon Suk Yeol.He founded the Reform Party in 2023, and served as the party chair since July 2025.