South Korea's ruling Democratic Party leader Zheng Qinglai resigned on the 24th
at a party Supreme Council meeting. Party whip Han Byung-do will act as leader.
Observers widely speculate Zheng stepped down to mount a re-election bid. The
The party will hold a national convention on Aug. 17 to elect a new leader for a
two-year term. Analysts say Zheng, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and former party
leader Song Young-gil are likely to run.