South Korea's governing People Power Party has chosen Han Dong-hoon as its new leader.

The former justice minister led the PPP through the general election in April. He was elected as the new party chief at a national convention near Seoul on Tuesday.

The position became vacant after the former chief stepped down in December last year. Four candidates ran in the contest. Han took a majority of the vote, which includes ballots cast by party members and public opinion poll results.

The PPP suffered a crushing defeat in the April election.

Han said party members and the people of South Korea called for change through the leadership ballot. He called on the party to show a willingness to change to bring it in line the public's point of view.

Like President Yoon Suk-yeol, Han is a former prosecutor. He was once considered close to Yoon. But some reports say they clashed over the general election.

Yoon's approval rating remains below 30 percent.

It remains to be seen whether Han can bolster support for his party while mending his relations with the president.