Cho Kuk of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party, whom President Lee Jae Myung pardoned in August from past inspection interference and university admission misconduct convictions, has announced his bid for party leadership.

At a press conference on Monday, Cho promised to restore public confidence and overcome internal discord through bold reform.

The former justice minister said he intends to strengthen the minor party's reform agenda, address bread-and-butter issues and win elections.

Cho pledged to end the two major parties' political oligopoly, reform the prosecutors' office and judiciary and introduce an anti-discrimination law.

He also vowed that the main opposition People Power Party(PPP), which he characterized as "insurrection and far-right forces," would face judgment in next year's local elections.

Cho, who served as the party's interim chief after its former leadership resigned over sexual misconduct allegations, stepped down last week to seek the chairmanship during a party convention set for November 23.