South Korean official returns to ruling party
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-30 13:56

South Korea Unification Minister Chung Dong-young resigned Friday to take a position in the troubled ruling party.

Chung, 52, was chairman of President Roh Moo-hyun's Uri Party before he became Unification Minister.

"I plan to devote myself to helping the party regain public confidence," the South Korean news agency Yonhap quoted Chung as saying in an interview.

File photo shows South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young (R) with Kwon Ho-ung, head of the North Korean delegation, on Cheju Island December 16, 2005.[Reuters]

The party has seen its popularity wane amid soaring property prices and corruption scandals.

As Unification Minister, Chung spearheaded South Korea's efforts to foster political and economic exchanges with its North Korea.

The former news anchor has been considered one of the most likely candidates to succeed President Roh Moo-hyun.

The president was swept into power by younger voters questioning key assumptions about modern South Korea, including its close ties to the United States.

South Korean media have speculated that Lee Jong-seok, a key National Security Council official, or Choo Mi-ae, a judge-turned-politican, could be in line to succeed Chung.

Both are considered reform-minded and supportive of Seoul's policy of engagement toward North Korea.