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 proven by having had a representation in parliament.
Introduction
Note: the word liberal in South Korea is often used by conservative groupings (See New Right in South Korea), in the European fashion. Liberal parties (in the American sense of the term) tend to label themselves as "Democratic" or "Progressive" instead.
There has been a tradition of liberal parties since 1955, often organized around persons. Presently the Minjoo Party of Korea, and the People's Party are the main successors of the liberal parties' tradition
"Liberal" movements in Korea also differ markedly from liberal movements elsewhere by strongly emphasizing patriotism and ethnic nationalism (especially with regard to Korean reunification) instead of "civic," or "liberal nationalism", a characteristic shared with North Korea.[1][2][3][4][5][6] This emphasis in "Liberalism" is closely associated with Pro-North Korea sentiments in the political sphere along with anti-American ideology.[7] In this critical respect "liberalism" in South Korea bears very little resemblance to "liberalism" as it is understood elsewhere in the world.
Timeline
N.B.: The sign ⇒ means a reference to another party in that scheme. For inclusion in this scheme it is not required for parties to label themselves as a "liberal party."
Christian Social Democratic Party to Korea Democratic Party
- 1945: The Christian Social Democratic Party first political party formed since Korea was liberated from Japanese occupation.
- 1945: Renamed as Korea Democratic Party.
- 1949: merged with the Democratic National Party
Democratic National Party
- 1955: merged with Democratic Party (1955) to form the Democratic National Party
Democratic Party (1955)
- 1955: Chang Myon founds the Democratic Party (1955) (Minju Dang)
- 1957: Unity Party secedes from the Democratic Party (1955)
- 1961: Party is banned and splits into the Democratic Party (1963) and the Civil Rule Party
Civil Rule Party
- 1963: The Civil Rule Party founded after the banned of Democratic Party (1955)
- 1967: merged with the Civil Rule Party and forms the New Democratic Korea Party
Democratic Party (1963)
- 1963: The Democratic Party (1963) founded after the banned of Democratic Party (1955)
- 1967: merged with the Democratic Party (1963) and forms the New Democratic Korea Party
New Democratic Korea Party
- 1967: Party is refounded as the New Democratic Party (Sinmin Dang), led from 1971 by Kim Dae-jung. When Kim fled to Japan, Kim Young-sam became the party leader
- 1981: Party is banned and Kim Dae-jung is sentenced to the death penalty. Factions of the party continue as the Democratic Korea Party (Minjuhanguk Dang)
- 1985: Most of the party joins the ⇒ New Korean Democratic Party, a small and unsuccessful faction
New Korean Democratic Party
- 1985: Lee Min Woo founds 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 leave the party to form the ⇒ Reunification Democratic Party; the New Korean Democratic Party disappears
Reunification Democratic Party
- 1987: Kim Dae-jung and Kim Young-sam leave the ⇒ New Korean Democratic Party and form the Reunification Democratic Party (Tongil Minju Dang)
- 1987: Kim Dae-jung leaves the Democratic Reunification Party and forms the ⇒ Party for Peace and Democracy
- 1990: The party merges with the conservative Democratic Justice Party and the New Democratic Republican Party into the conservative Democratic Liberal Party (Minju Jayu Dang). A faction forms the ⇒ Democratic Party (1990)
Party for Peace and Democracy to Democratic Party (1991)
- 1987: Kim Dae-jung leaves the ⇒ Reunification Democratic Party and forms the Party for Peace and Democracy (P'yonghwa Minjudang)
- 1991: The party is reorganised into the New United Democratic Party (Sinminju Yeonhapdang, Sinmindang for short)
- 1991: The party merges with the ⇒ Democratic Party (1990) and takes the name Democratic Party (1991) (Minjudang)
- 1995: Most of the party follows Kim into the ⇒ National Congress for New Politics or Democratic Party (2005), the Democratic Party (1991) disappears
Democratic Party (1990)
- 1990: A faction of the ⇒ Democratic Reunification Party forms the Democratic Party (1990) (Minjudang)
- 1991: The party merges with the ⇒ Party for Peace and Democracy into the ⇒ New Democratic Party
Democratic Party (1995)
- 1995: A faction of the ⇒ Democratic Party (1990) forms the Democratic Party (1995)
- 1997: The party merges with the ⇒ National Congress for New Politics
National Congress for New Politics (1995)
- 1995: Most of the ⇒ Democratic Party follows Kim Dae-jung into the National Congress for New Politics (Saejeongchi Gungminhoeui) and succeeded in 1997 in electing Kim to the presidency of South Korea
- 2000: The party is merged with New People Party to form the Millennium Democratic Party (Sae Cheonnyeon Minjudang, 새천년민주당)
Millennium Democratic Party to Democratic Party (2000)
- 2003: After the election of its candidate Roh Moo-hyun to the presidency, his followers leave the party and formed ⇒ Uri Party
- 2005: The party is renamed Democratic Party (2000) (Min-ju Dang)
- 2007: the party split into two groups Democratic Party (2007) and the other group merge with the Uri Party
Uri Party (2003)
- 2003: After the election of its candidate Roh Moo-hyun to the presidency, his followers leave the Millennium Democratic Party and form the Uri Party (Yeollin Uri Dang, 열린우리당), sometimes known as "Our Open Party." Lasted until August 19, 2007.
Democratic Party (2007) to Centrist Reformists Democratic Party
- 2007:The Democratic Party (2007) was found after the dissolution of Democratic Party (2000).
- 2007:The party is renamed Centrist Reformists Democratic Party
United New Democratic Party (2007)
- 2007: Most members of the Uri Party, Son Hak-gyu's conservative-liberal benches, and a group of the civil movement organizations are united as a new political party called The United New Democratic Party (Daetonghap Minju Sindang, 대통합민주신당).
United Democratic Party to Democratic Party (2008)
On 17 February 2008, the UNDP merged with the Democratic Party (민주당), forming the United Democratic Party (통합민주당). This was four years after the Uri Party (열린우리당)'s split from Millennium Democratic Party (새천년민주당).[8] On July 2008 the party is renamed Democratic Party (2008) (Min-ju Dang).
Democratic United Party to Democratic Party (2011)
In December 16, 2011, with the unity of Democratic Party, Citizens United Party and cooperation of Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, formed Democratic United Party. In 2013 the party is renamed Democratic Party (민주당), while changed its official color from green to blue, the first time in 60 years.
New Politics Alliance for Democracy to The Minjoo Party of Korea
On 26 March 2014, the Democratic Party (2011) merged with New Political Vision Party (새정치연합), forming the New Politics Alliance for Democracy (Saejeongchi Minju Yeonhap, 새정치민주연합). In 2015 the party is renamed Minjoo Party of Korea (더불어민주당).
On 10 January 2016, the Ahn Cheol-soo fraction of the split of the MPK to established the People's Party.
Liberal presidents in South Korea
- Yun Bo-seon (1960-1962)
- Kim Dae-jung (1998-2003)
- Roh Moo-hyun (2003-2008)
Major liberal parties election results of South Korea
Presidential elections
Election | Candidate | Total votes | Share of votes | Outcome | Party Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1952 | Yi Si-yeong | 764,715 | 10.9% | Defeated | Democratic National Party |
1956 | Shin Ik-hee | 0 | 0.0% | died before election | Democratic Party (1955) |
March 1960 | Chough Pyung-ok | 0 (electoral vote) | 0.0% | died before election | Democratic Party (1955) |
August 1960 | Yun Bo-seon | 208 (electoral vote) | 82.2% | Elected | Democratic Party (1955) |
1963 | Yun Bo-seon | 4,546,614 | 45.1% | Defeated | Civil Rule Party |
1967 | Yun Bo-seon | 4,526,541 | 40.9% | Defeated | New Democratic Party |
1971 | Kim Dae-jung | 5,395,900 | 45.3% | Defeated | New Democratic Party |
1981 | Yu Chi-song | 404 | 7.7% | Defeated | Democratic Korea Party |
1987 | Kim Dae-jung | 6,113,375 | 27.0% | Defeated | Party for Peace and Democracy |
1992 | Kim Dae-jung | 8,041,284 | 33.8% | Defeated | Democratic Party (1991) |
1997 | Kim Dae-jung | 10,326,275 | 40.3% | Elected | National Congress for New Politics |
Lee In-je | 4,925,591 | 19.2% | Defeated | New People Party | |
2002 | Roh Moo-hyun | 12,014,277 | 48.9% | Elected | Millennium Democratic Party |
2007 | Chung Dong-young | 6,174,681 | 26.1% | Defeated | United New Democratic Party |
Lee In-je | 160,708 | 0.7% | Defeated | Centrist Reformists Democratic Party | |
2012 | Moon Jae-in | 14,692,632 | 48.0% | Defeated | Democratic United Party |
Legislative elections
Election | Total seats won | Total votes | Share of votes | Outcome of election | Status | Election leader | Party Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1948 | 29 / 200 |
916,322 | 13.5% | new 29 seats; Minority | in opposition | Kim Seong-su | Korea Democratic Party |
1950 | 24 / 210 |
683,910 | 9.8% | new 24 seats; Minority | in opposition | Shin Ik-hee | Democratic National Party |
1954 | 15 / 203 |
593,499 | 7.9% | 29 seats; Minority | in opposition | Shin Ik-hee | Democratic National Party |
1958 | 79 / 233 |
2,914,049 | 34.0% | new 79 seats; Minority | in opposition | Chough Pyung-ok | Democratic Party (1955) |
1960 | 175 / 233 |
3,786,401 | 41.7% | 96 seats; Majority | in government | Chough Pyung-ok | Democratic Party (1955) |
1963 | 41 / 175 |
1,870,976 | 20.1% | new 41 seats; Minority | in opposition | Yun Bo-seon | Civil Rule Party |
14 / 175 |
1,264,285 | 13.6% | new 14 seats; Minority | in opposition | Park Soon-cheon | Democratic Party (1963) | |
1967 | 45 / 175 |
3,554,224 | 32.7% | new 45 seats; Minority | in opposition | Yu Jin-o | New Democratic Party |
1971 | 89 / 204 |
4,969,050 | 44.4% | 44 seats; Minority | in opposition | Kim Hong-il | New Democratic Party |
1973 | 52 / 219 |
3,577,300 | 32.5% | 37 seats; Minority | in opposition | Yu Chin-san | New Democratic Party |
1978 | 61 / 231 |
4,861,204 | 32.8% | 9 seats; Minority | in opposition | Yi Cheol-seung | New Democratic Party |
1981 | 81 / 276 |
3,495,829 | 21.6% | new 81 seats; Minority | in opposition | Lee Man-sup | Democratic Korea Party |
1988 | 70 / 299 |
3,783,279 | 19.3% | new 70 seats; in Coalition (PPD-DRP-NDRP) | in opposition | Lee Min-woo | Party for Peace and Democracy |
1992 | 97 / 299 |
6,004,577 | 29.2% | new 97 seats; Minority | in opposition | Kim Dae-jung | Democratic Party (1991) |
1996 | 79 / 299 |
4,971,961 | 25.3% | new 79 seats; in Coalition (NCNP-ULD-Democrats) | in opposition (1996-1998) | Kim Dae-jung | National Congress for New Politics |
in government (1998-2000) | |||||||
2000 | 115 / 299 |
6,780,625 | 35.9% | new 115 seats; in Coalition (MDP-ULD-DPP) | in government | Kim Dae-jung | Millennium Democratic Party |
2004 | 152 / 299 |
8,145,824 | 38.3% | new 152 seats; Majority | in government | Chung Dong-young | Uri Party |
9 / 299 |
1,510,178 | 7.1% | 53 seats; Minority | in government | Choug Soon-hyung | Millennium Democratic Party | |
2008 | 81 / 299 |
4,313,111 | 25.1% | new 81 seats; Minority | in opposition | Son Hak-gyu | United Democratic Party |
2012 | 127 / 300 |
7,777,123 | 36.5% | new 127 seats; Minority | in opposition | Han Myeong-sook | Democratic United Party |
2016 | 123 / 300 |
6,069,744 | 25.5% | new 123 seats; Plurality | in opposition | Kim Chong-in | Minjoo Party |
38 / 300 |
6,355,572 | 26.7% | new 38 seats; Minority | in opposition | Ahn Cheol-soo | People's Party |
Local elections
Election | Metropolitan mayor/Governor | Provincial legislature | Municipal mayor | Municipal legislature | Party Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1995 | 4 / 15 |
353 / 875 |
84 / 230 |
Democratic Party (1991) | |
1998 | 6 / 16 |
271 / 616 |
84 / 232 |
National Congress for New Politics | |
0 / 16 |
0 / 616 |
1 / 232 |
New People Party | ||
2002 | 1 / 16 |
33 / 682 |
16 / 227 |
Millennium Democratic Party | |
2006 | 1 / 16 |
52 / 733 |
19 / 230 |
630 / 2,888 |
Uri Party |
2 / 16 |
80 / 733 |
20 / 230 |
276 / 2,888 |
Democratic Party (2005) | |
2010 | 7 / 16 |
360 / 761 |
92 / 228 |
1,025 / 2,888 |
Democratic Party (2008) |
2014 | 9 / 17 |
349 / 789 |
80 / 226 |
1,157 / 2,898 |
New Politics Alliance for Democracy |
See also
- History of South Korea
- Politics of South Korea
- Conservatism in South Korea
- Progressivism in South Korea
- List of political parties in South Korea
- Minjudang
References
- ↑ “세계화 시대, 개인주의로 가는 포스트 386 주목”
- ↑ Distorting Nation - Hankyoreh Reporter Go Meong-seop endorses "peace and reunification-oriented ethnic nationalism" over "anti-communist and 'divided' state-based nationalism"
- ↑ Juche: Idea for All Times: "If we have a more careful look through the 1955 speech and other early references to Juche we will see that this was what Kim Il Song meant: not a coherent ideology, not even the idea of "self-reliance," but rather the need to emphasize one's national identity as a Korean, a need to see Korea's national interests as the top priority."
- ↑ Reformed Socialist’ Professor Skewers Anachronistic Korean Left - Former leftist student activist Shin Ji-Ho notes the political "primacy on race and reunification" on the part of his former comrades
- ↑ Why Korea Should Embrace Multi-Culturalism
- ↑ Amid the anti-dictatorship democratization movement, the leftists of the South were divided, fighting each other over whether they should follow the North’s ideology or not... The concept of “blood is thicker than water” intervened, and the leftists soon became uncomfortable whenever the North was mentioned.
- ↑ http://www.dailynk.com/korean/read.php?cataId=nk00100&num=84061
- ↑ 통합민주당 공식 출범, the Hankyoreh, Retrieved on 5 March 2008