In by-elections held in three electoral chapters, Dongdaemun B and Guro B of Seoul, and Gangreung, Gangwon Province, the Grand National Party won all three seats, becoming a majority opposition party one seat shy of an absolute majority in the number of seats at the National Assembly. The Ruling Millennium Democratic Party, which detected the national opinion turning their back on it, fell into internal turmoil, demanding reform in Cheong Wa Dae staff line-up. President Kim Dae-jung stepped down from the party leadership on November 8.