Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, a former co-chairman of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD), said Sunday the party must choose a new leader in order to win back voters' trust ahead of next year's general elections.
   
Ahn, who co-led the party with current NPAD chairman Moon Jae-in last year, had repeatedly called for a complete leadership change since the party's crushing defeat in April's parliamentary by-elections.
  
"Now is not the time to get hung up on vested rights," Ahn told reporters at the National Assembly. "If Moon doesn't want to reform the party with me, he must clearly say so."
  
Ahn's statement came after Moon rejected his request for a "revolutionary" convention that could potentially cost the chairman his job.
  
Pundits interpret Ahn's statement as an ultimatum, with the former software mogul appearing to be planning an exit from the party if Moon fails to accept his request.
  
Moon rebuffed Ahn's proposal last week as "unrealistic" and "ill-timed," but he said he will adopt the dozen suggestions made by Ahn in September to restore public trust in the party.
  
On Sunday, Moon refused to respond to Ahn's statements, telling reporters, "I won't speak today." His silence is seen as a precautionary measure since an immediate response could make Ahn leave, costing votes in next year's general elections.
  
Previously, Moon had suggested a three-way joint leadership with Ahn and Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, which Ahn rejected.
  
A sense of crisis has been palpable inside the liberal party ahead of the general elections slated for April next year.
  
Some analysis shows the NPAD will get only 70-80 seats in the 300-member parliament. (Yonhap)