Lee's ally Ahn elected ruling party chief

Ahn Sang-soo, a veteran legislator loyal to President Lee Myung-bak, was elected the new leader of the ruling Grand National Party on Wednesday, tasked with rebuilding trust in the president and winning back voter support ahead of the critical nationwide elections in two years’ time. 

Ahn, a former prosecutor, pledged  to make the utmost effort to achieve internal unity and create a party that serves its role as “a reliable friend to the people.”

“We do not know the meaning of factions and disunity today. Let’s all together work on becoming a party that supports the goal of creating a society that has no rich and poor,” the 64-year-old four-term lawmaker said in an acceptance speech addressing some 5,000 party members.

The incoming ruling party chief will look to drive the embattled party out of a lingering crisis following its recent election defeat by first achieving unity among different factions, including one led by President Lee himself.