Seoul: Lee Jung-hyun, head of the nomination committee at the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) for the upcoming local elections, returned to work Sunday, two days after offering to step down from his post. "I will resume my work as head of the party's nomination committee," Lee stated. "I will also bear full responsibility for the election results."

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee said he had been approached by PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok the previous night about seeing the reform of the nomination process to the end. Jang had offered him "full authority" on all matters related to nominations for the June 3 elections. Lee expressed his commitment at this critical juncture, emphasizing the necessity for decisive leadership. "At this critical juncture, I think the party and the people want someone to step up to take responsibility and make decisions," he said. "If I have to make decisions during the nomination process going forward, I will not shy away from them. I will make sure this process will be an opportunity for the PPP to be born again."

Lee had informed the party leadership Friday he would resign from his post, less than a month after being appointed amid an apparent internal rift over nominations in the southeastern city of Daegu, a conservative stronghold.