K Party

Korea Vision Party
President Park Se-il
Founded February 27, 2012 (2012-02-27)
Dissolved April 12, 2012 (2012-04-12)
Headquarters 14-3 Yeoeuido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Ideology Reformative conservatism[1][2]
Political position Center-right[2]
International affiliation None
Colors Orange, white, blue
Politics of South Korea
Political parties
Elections
Korean name
Hangul 국민생각
Hanja 國民생각
Revised Romanization Gungmin Saenggak
McCune–Reischauer Kungmin Saenggak

The Korea Vision Party (Korean: 국민생각, Gungmin Saenggak, "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.[2] 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.[7]

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]

References

  1. ↑ 새누리 보수연대 고심 신당·선진당과 물밑대화. Hankyoreh, 12 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012. (Korean)
  2. 1 2 3 Center-rightists challenge Saenuri party. Korea Times, 13 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  3. ↑ Conservative group splits off to launch ‘K Party’, Korea Joongang Daily, 14 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  4. ↑ Destructive division in conservative camp. Donga Ilbo, 24 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  5. ↑ New centrist party takes shape before April polls. Korea Times, 13 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  6. ↑ South Korean conservatives show renewed strength ahead of April elections. Asian Correspondent, 28 February 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  7. 1 2 Unselected lawmakers threaten to desert. Korea Times, 6 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  8. ↑ Saenuri mixes up candidates with a few big surprises. Korea Joongang Daily, 6 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  9. ↑ Pro-Lee faction leader blasts nominations. Korea Herald, 8 March 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  10. ↑ Rep. Chun leaves Saenuri for K Party. Korea Herald, 9 March 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
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