Liberalism in South Korea

This article gives an overview of liberalism in South Korea. It is limited to liberal democratic parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ means a reference to another party in that scheme. For inclusion in this scheme it isn't necessary so that parties labeled themselves as a liberal party.

Introduction

Note: the word Liberal in South Korea is often used by conservative groupings. Liberal parties tend to label themselves as Democratic instead. There has been a tradition of liberal parties since 1955, often organized around persons. Nowadays the Democratic Party ("Minju Dang") and the Uri Party ("Yeollin Uri Dang") are left of center liberal parties.

The timeline

From Democratic Party to Democratic Korea Party

*1955: Chang Myon founded the Democratic Party ("Minju Dang")
*1957: The Unity Party seceded from the Democratic Party
*1960: The party split up in the Democratic Party and the New People's Party
*1961: The party is banned
*1963: The party is refounded as the New Democracy Party ("Sinmin Dang"), led since 1971 by Kim Dae-jung. When Kim has fled to Japan, Kim Young-sam became party leader
*1981: The party is banned and Kim Dae-jung sentenced to a death penalty. Factions of the party continued as the Democratic Korea Party ("Minjuhanguk Dang")
*1985: Most of the party joined the ⇒ New Korean Democratic Party, a small faction continued without success

New Korean Democratic Party

*1985: Lee Min Woo founded the New Korean Democratic Party ("Sinhanminju Dang"), joined after the 1985 elections by the majority of the ⇒ Democratic Korea Party (including Kim Dae-jung and Kim Young-sam)
*1987: The two Kims and their followers left the party to form the ⇒ Democratic Reunification Party, the New Korean Democratic Party disappeared

Democratic Reunification Party

*1987: Kim Dae-jung and Kim Young Sam left the ⇒ New Korean Democratic Party and formed the Democratic Reunification Party ("Tongil Minju Dang")
*1987: Kim Dae-jung left the Democratic Reunifaction Party and formed the ⇒ Party for Peace and Democracy
*1990: The party merged with the conservative Democratic Justice Party and New Democratic Republican Party into the conservative Democratic Liberal Party ("Minju Jayu Dang"). A faction formed the ⇒ Democratic Party

From Party for Peace and Democracy to Democratic Party

*1987: Kim Dae-jung left the ⇒ Democratic Reunifaction Party and formed the Party for Peace and Democracy ("P'yonghwa Minju Dang")
*1991: The party is reorganised into the New United Democratic Party ("Sinminju Yeonhap Dang", "Sinmin Dang" for short)
*1992: The party merged with the ⇒ Democratic Party and takes the name Democratic Party ("Minju Dang")
*1995: Most of the party followed Kim into the ⇒ National Congress for New Politics, the Democratic Party disappeared

Democratic Party (1990)

*1990: A faction of the ⇒ Democratic Reunification Party formed the Democratic Party ("Minju Dang")
*1991: The party merged with the ⇒ Party for Peace and Democracy into the ⇒ New Democratic Party

From National Congress for New Politics to Democratic Party

*1995: Most of the ⇒ Democratic Party followed Kim Dae-jung into the National Congress for New Politics ("Saejeongchi Gungminhoeui") and succeeded in 1997 to elect Kim to the presidency of South Korea
*2000: The party is renamed Millennium Democratic Party ("Sae Cheonnyeon Minjudang", 새천년민주당)
*2003: After the election of its candidate Roh Moo-hyun to the presidency, his followers left the party and formed the ⇒ Our Party
*2005: The party is renamed Democratic Party ("Min-ju Dang")

Our Party

*2003: After the election of its candidate Roh Moo-hyun to the presidency, his followers left the ⇒ Millennium Democratic Party and formed the Uri Party ("Yeollin Uri Dang", 열린 우리당), sometimes known as Our Party. Lasted until August 19, 2007.

The UNDP

*2007: Most members of Uri Party, Son Hak-gyu's conservative-liberal benches, and group of the civil movement organizations are united as a new political party called The United New Democratic Party ("Daetonghap Minju Sindang", 대통합민주신당).

Liberal leaders

* Kim Dae-jung - Roh Moo-hyun

References

p.m.

ee also

* History of South Korea
* Politics of South Korea
* List of political parties in South Korea