Korea Vision Party Explained

Native Name:국민생각
President:Park Se-il
Headquarters:14-3 Yeoeuido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Ideology:Reformative conservatism[1] [2]
Position:Center-right
Colors:Orange
Country:South Korea
Korean name
Hangul:국민생각
Hanja:생각
Rr:Gungmin Saenggak
Mr:Kungmin Saenggak

The Korea Vision Party (Korean: 국민생각, "National Thought"), more commonly known as the K Party, is a center-rightist political party in South Korea. It was founded on 12 February 2012 by Park Se-il, president of the Hansun Foundation, a conservative think tank. There are concerns that the K Party will split the conservative vote,[3] though Park Se-il met with Saenuri leader Park Geun-hye on 23 February, with Park Geun-hye commenting that "If a party holds the same values and orientation, we are open to partnering".[4] The party aims to field over 200 candidates in the April elections, favoring the selection of women and younger politicians.[5] In an opinion poll conducted on 24 - 25 February 2012, the K Party received a support level of 1.4%, out-ranking the more established New Progressive Party.[6] Analysts have nonetheless raised questions over the ability of the party to secure seats, even if sitting Assembly members do defect.

The party has attempted to court defecting members of the larger Saenuri Party in the run-up to the 2012 Assembly elections,[7] with a particular focus on loyalists of Lee Myung-bak who have been alienated by the rise of Park Geun-hye.[8] Commentators have speculated that pro-Lee lawmakers such as Lee Jae-oh may defect to the K Party en masse,[9] and on March 9, 2012, the former Saenuri Party politician Jeon Yeo-ok defected to the K Party and became its first lawmaker.[10]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/assembly/518628.html 새누리 보수연대 고심 신당·선진당과 물밑대화
  2. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/02/116_104760.html Center-rightists challenge Saenuri party
  3. , Korea Joongang Daily, 14 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  4. http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2012022561468 Destructive division in conservative camp
  5. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/02/113_104698.html New centrist party takes shape before April polls
  6. http://asiancorrespondent.com/76963/south-korean-conservatives-show-renewed-strength-ahead-of-april-elections/ South Korean conservatives show renewed strength ahead of April elections
  7. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/03/113_106344.html Unselected lawmakers threaten to desert
  8. . Korea Joongang Daily, 6 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  9. http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20120308001125 Pro-Lee faction leader blasts nominations
  10. http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20120309000990 Rep. Chun leaves Saenuri for K Party