Lee also highlighted that considering his hometown is South Jeolla Province, his election would symbolize a "political revolution" for the public and the party members. The region normally voice supports for liberal-leaning parties and officials.

"I will approach economic issues with an eye on what the opposition parties think, while taking responsibility for state affairs as the ruling party," he added.

Since the party's preceding leadership resigned over an election debacle in the April 13 parliamentary polls, the party has been led by an interim leadership committee.

Two other lawmakers also earlier vowed to run for the leadership, namely Rep. Lee Ju-young, a pro-Park lawmaker, and Rep.

Kim Yong-tae, part of a faction that is not close to President Park.

Meanwhile, the party's emergency committee on Thursday agreed not to adopt a handset-based election system for August's leadership election.

Saenuri also decided to give more authority to the chairman, but not grant powers on nominations. (Yonhap)