Shin Ki-nam, South Korean ruling Uri Party's chairman, announced his resignation on a Thursday's press conference for his father's collaboration with Japanese colonial ruler decades ago.

Shin's resignation came amid mounting criticism that he intentionally covered his father's past when Japan conducted colonial rule on the Korean Peninsula from 1910-1945.

The criticism came after it was revealed Shin's father served as a military police officer under the Japanese in that time.

Immediately after Uri Party chairman Shin Ki-nam announced his resignation at a news conference, Lee Bu-young, a member of the party's central committee, took over Shin's job.

Under party rules, the person who received the second most ballots for standing committee membership is to succeed to the chairman post.

Shin was elected as party leader in January.

Lee, who switched to the Uri Party from the major opposition Grand National Party late last year, has been critical of the party leadership under Shin and floor leader Chun Jung-bae.

Source: Xinhua