New Reform Party (South Korea) Explained

New Reform Party
Native Name:개혁신당
Native Name Lang:ko
Leader:Heo Eun-ah
Leader1 Title:Floor Leader
Leader1 Name:Chun Ha-ram
Leader2 Title:Chair of the Policy Planning Committee
Leader2 Name:Lee Joo-young
Secretary General:Kim Chul-keun
Founder:Lee Jun-seok
Founded:20 January 2024
Split:People Power Party
Membership:71,447[1]
Colours: Orange
Slogan:Korean: 한국의 희망
(Hope of Korea)
Ideology:Conservatism
Seats1 Title:National Assembly
Seats2 Title:Metropolitan Mayors and Governors
Seats3 Title:Municipal Mayors
Seats4 Title:Provincial and Metropolitan Councillors
Seats5 Title:Municipal Councillors
Country:South Korea
Reform Party
Rr:Gaehyeok Sindang
Mr:Kaehyŏk Sindang

The New Reform Party is a South Korean political party jointly led by Lee Jun-seok, the former leader of the People Power Party (PPP). While initially founded by Lee Jun-seok as a conservative party after his split from the PPP, it has subsequently merged with various parties and factions led by politicians formerly affiliated with the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and Justice Party.

History

The founding congress of the New Reform Party was held on 20 January 2024.[2] At the founding congress, the intention was emphasized to create a "third force", which would include the New Reform Party, to oppose the Democratic Party and the PPP. The new party expressed its readiness to create coalitions.[3] The party is led by former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok and the conservative Kim Yong-nam is the party's policy committee chief.

On 24 January 2024, Yang Hyang-ja's Hope of Korea merged into the New Reform Party ahead of the April 10 parliamentary election.[4] On February 9, it was announced that the party, along with New Future Party led by Lee Nak-yon, would merge to create the New Reform Party, with the new party being led by Lee Jun-seok and Lee Nak-yon.[5]

On 20 February 2024, Lee Nak-yon and his New Future Party announced their withdrawal from the merger with the New Reform Party. Kim Jong-min, an assemblyman close to Lee, also left the party to rejoin Lee's New Future Party.[6]

Ideology

Initially, the New Reform Party mainly consisted of moderate conservatives centred around Lee Jun-seok, joined by centrists formerly affiliated with the Bareunmirae Party.[7] Centre-left members of the Justice Party who refused an election alliance with the Green Party also left the party and joined the election alliance. This includes former MP Ryu Ho-jeong. However, after consecutive mergers with other parties and factions, it has morphed into a big tent party composed of members from different backgrounds.

Because its various factions were merged to form a centrist block ahead of the 2024 South Korean parliamentary elections, party members remain divided along ideological lines.[8]

The party claims to be against authoritarianism and statism and seeks to protect liberty.[9] [10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 개혁신당, 당명 그대로 유지한다 . 2024-03-26 . . en.
  2. Web site: New political party launched in S.Korea ahead of April's general election . 2024-02-14 . NHK WORLD . en.
  3. Web site: New Reform Party Launches with Former PPP Chief Lee Jun-seok as its Chief . 2024-02-14 . world.kbs.co.kr . en.
  4. Web site: 2024-01-24 . 이준석 개혁신당-양향자 한국의희망 '합당'…제3지대 연대 본격화 . 2024-02-14 . . ko.
  5. Web site: Yonhap . 2024-02-09 . Smaller political powers agree to merge into new party ahead of general elections . 2024-02-14 . . en.
  6. Web site: [바로이뉴스] "다시 새로운미래로 돌아간다"…11일 만에 결별 선언한 이낙연 ]. 2024-02-21 . 언론사 뷰.
  7. Web site: 2024-01-04 . 여야 정치인 12명, 5일 개혁신당 합류…지원사격 나선 양향자 . 2024-02-14 . . ko.
  8. Web site: 2024-02-12 . Doubts remain over 'big tent' party's ability to work together. . 2024-02-14 . . en.
  9. Web site: 2023-12-29 . 천하람, "당 내부 권위주의 배격…권력에 기생하지 않겠다". 2024-05-18 . Kyunghyang Shinmun. ko.
  10. Web site: 2024-02-13 . 이준석 "개혁신당, 보수주의 아닌 자유주의 표방해야". 2024-05-18 . . ko.