Five-term lawmaker elected as South Korea's new opposition leader

Rep. Kang Jae-sup, who was elected as the new chairman of the Grand National Party.

Rep. Kang Jae-sup of the Grand National Party (GNP) was elected as the new chairman of the main opposition party in its national convention in Seoul on Tuesday.

The five-term lawmaker, who is known to be close to former GNP chairwoman Park Geun-hye, served as the party's floor leader last year.

Kang won 5,254 votes, beating his main rival Lee Jae-oh who garnered 4,791 votes in the eight-person contest. Lee was backed by former Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak.

Some political analysts regarded Tuesday's election as a bellwether for the GNP's race to choose its flag bearer for next year's presidential election.

Park and Lee are said to be among the favorites to win the ticket.

Lee and three other contenders were selected as members of the Steering Committee, the party's chief decision-making body. The three are Kang Chang-hee, Chun Yu-ok and Chung Hyung-keun.

Seoul, July 11 (Yonhap News)