Popular Party (South Korea)

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

History[]

A part of socialist movements in the late 1980s, the party was formed by the former members of the Hankyoreh Democratic Party (HDP) and the (PotP).^[1] The HDP, which was originally formed in 1988, lost its sole elected representative, , and kept declining. The 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 as its Permanent President, and as the Co-Presidents,^[4] as the Chairman of Policy, and Lee Jae-oh as the Secretary-General.^[5]

During the , 42 candidates ran under the PP banner but only 1 () was elected. In the 1992 election, 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 the right-wing Democratic Liberal Party.^[3] 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[]

Local election[]

References[]