Popular Party (South Korea)

The Popular Party (Korean: 민중당) was a left-wing political party of South Korea from 1989 to 1992.

Popular Party

민중당
AbbreviationPP
Founded10 November 1989
Legalised10 November 1990
Dissolved7 April 1992
Merger ofHankyoreh Democratic Party (majority)
Party of the People
Merged intoDemocratic Liberal Party (majority)
IdeologySocial democracy
Democratic socialism
Labourism
Political positionCentre-left to left-wing
Colours     Salmon
National Assembly
(1992 election results)
0 / 299

History

A part of socialist movements in the late 1980s, the party was formed by the former member of Hankyoreh Democratic Party (HDP) and Party of the People (PotP).[1] HDP, which was originally formed in 1988, lost its sole elected representative, Park Hyung-oh, and kept declining. PotP was also in difficulties with its minority status. This environment stimulated the pan-alliance of left-wings.

The party was founded on 10 November 1989 with its unofficial name, Preparation Group for the Establishment of Progressive Popular Party (Korean: 진보적 대중정당 건설을 위한 준비모임),[2][3] and officially formed on 10 November 1990 as Popular Party.[4][5] That day, they also elected Lee Woo-jae as its Permanent President, Kim Sang-ki and Kim Nak-joong as Co-Presidents,[4] Jang Gi-pyo as Chairman of Policy, and Lee Jae-oh as Secretary-General.[5]

During the local elections in 1991, 42 candidates ran under the banner of PP, and only 1 (Sung Hui-jik) was elected. In the general election in 1992, 51 were running, and no one was elected.[3][1] The party was immediately deregistered under the electoral law.[6]

Many of members changed their ideology to right.[3] Notable figures i.e. Kim Moon-soo, Lee Jae-oh,[1] and Cha Myong-jin, later joined right-wing Democratic Liberal Party,[3] and now as members of its successor Liberty Korea Party.[1] Lee Woo-jae, who was also one of them, later joined Uri Party, but subsequently retired. Only few members including Roh Hoe-chan, remained as left.[1]

Policies

The party advocated planned economy, and sought for the nationalisation of industries, financial institutions, natural resources, and land.[5] It also supported the labour policies of Swedish Social Democratic Party.[5]

The party refused to merge with Democratic Party, although they considered about electoral alliances.[7]

1992 election manifestos

The party announced its 15 manifestos for 1992 election.[8]

  • Limit the personal stock ownership to maximum 5%
  • Reduce the period of national service till 18 months (= 1.5 years)
  • Nationalisation of land
  • Introduction of real-name financial transaction system
  • Application of public operating system for bus, and private ownership of taxis
  • Abolition of the National Security Act
  • Allow political activities for trade unions
  • Open ballot system for general election
  • Two-round system for presidential election
  • Increase domestic spending by 20% for welfare system
  • Protect agricultural industry and allow co-operative
  • Stop the streamlining of coal industry, and public corporatisation of coal mine
  • Gender equality and introduction of Anti-Sexual Harassment Act
  • Reinstatement of teachers from KTU and the expansion of compulsory education
  • Harsher penalties for environmental pollution and build nuclear plants by referendum

Election results

General election
Election National Assembly Government Size Presidents
Votes % Seats won
1992 319,041 1.5%
0 / 299
 Extra-parliamentary 5th Kim Sang-ki
Kim Nak-joong

Local election
Election Metropolitan mayor/Governor Provincial legislature Election leader
1991
0 / 15
1 / 866
 Collective leadership

References
  1. "궁핍한 생활 견디며 진보의 한길로". 29 May 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  2. "진보정당 내년3월 창당 '준비모임' 기자회견". 11 November 1989. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  3. "[김진 시시각각] 잘못 부러진 차명진의 팔". 15 March 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  4. "「민중당」 정식출범". 10 November 1990. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  5. "당해체후 진로논의 민중당". 8 April 1992. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  6. "민주당과 통합안해 민중당,총선등선 연대". 22 October 1991. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  7. "민중당 15개 총선 공약 내놔". 28 February 1992. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
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