On Monday 4 July 2011, the Grand National Party (GNP) elected former prosecutor Hong Joon-pyo, as its new chairman. Hong declared reform to be a key priority, as the conservative ruling party struggles to regain popular confidence ahead of next year’s two major polls. Hong succeeds Ahn Sang-soo, who stepped down in May 2011, to take responsibility for the party’s defeat in the April by-elections. Hong received 41,166 votes, followed by Yoo Seung-min, a close aide to Park Geun-hye, who received 32,157 votes. The vote establishes a cleaerer path towards reform within the GNP.