The United Future Party's Name 'Gukminui Him'...Confirmed After National Committee Approval
Former lawmaker Son Hye-won, who has been on trial for purchasing real estate under a borrowed name after preemptively learning about Mokpo's 'urban regeneration project plan,' is leaving the courthouse after the first trial sentencing hearing held at the Southern District Court on the 12th of last month. The court sentenced Son to 1 year and 6 months in prison. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Former Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Son Hyewon criticized the new name of the United Future Party, 'Gukminui Him' (People Power), saying, "'People Power' means they want to borrow that power," and asked, "What kind of people are the citizens you meet? Do you want to borrow the power of Christian groups or Jeon Gwanghoon's influence?"
On the 31st of last month, Son held a live broadcast titled "'Did the People Want 'People Power'?" on her YouTube channel 'Son Hyewon TV,' saying, "It probably isn't the candlelight protesters. Then is it the Taegeukgi people?" and criticized, "Creating a party name by adding 'power' after the ambiguous word 'people' is a very cowardly idea."
Son said, "The party name 'People Power' is somewhat disappointing for the main opposition party to take," and evaluated, "They held a contest for the new party name, but submitting entries without stating the party's intention or goals is reckless. 'People' is a word that appears frequently everywhere."
She also mentioned similarities with the existing 'People's Party,' raising suspicions by saying, "Why is the People's Party staying silent? It feels like there was prior discussion."
Son also pointed out that the use of 'ui' (의) in the name comes from Japanese-style notation. She said, "Do we really have to use (Japanese-style notation) in the party name?" and added, "A good brand should be 'short,' so including 'ui' is a waste of characters."
Regarding the United Future Party's decision not to add 'dang' (party) to 'People Power' and not to use abbreviations, she criticized, "A brand belongs not to the creators but to those who call it," and asked, "Where does arrogance come from?"
She continued, "Recently, someone asked me if we must add 'party,' and I replied, 'If the approval rating reaches about 80%, then do as you please,'" and pointed out, "Do you think people will read it as 'People Power'? They will read it as 'People Power Party.'"
Son, who had previously proposed the name 'Deobureo Minjudang' (The Minjoo Party of Korea), said, "I was worried it would be called 'Deomin-dang,' but then President Moon Jae-in, who was the party leader at the time, suggested 'Deominju,' which moved me as if the sky had opened," and added, "Does the United Future Party know that people will shorten the party name as they please and make it a laughingstock? If it becomes a subject of ridicule, that is the party's responsibility."
Regarding the controversy that the civic group once led by Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Cheongrae was named 'People Power,' she said, "If it were me, I wouldn't have used 'People Power,'" and criticized the United Future Party's new name again, saying, "You have to check on portal sites before deciding the party name. If you used it after checking, then you are either clueless or arrogant."
Son explained, "People Power and the United Future Party seem to have no connection," and said, "Rather than the name itself, the lack of linkage means it won't be powerful."
She added, "In the current situation, they should at least design it well and make it a good name," but evaluated, "(However) if the person who made the United Future Party's pink logo and lettering does it, it seems difficult."
Earlier, the United Future Party's Emergency Committee decided on 'People Power' as the new party name. Public Relations Committee Chair Kim Sumin reported three final candidates to the Emergency Committee: People Power, Hangukui Dang (Party of Korea), and Wihada (For the People).
It is known that Chair Kim Jongin and the Emergency Committee members selected People Power considering that 'people' was the most frequently suggested keyword in the party name contest.
The United Future Party ratified the new party name through an online caucus at 11 a.m. that day. It plans to finalize it after the Standing National Committee on the 1st and the National Committee on the 2nd.
Meanwhile, Son Hyewon, who oversaw the Democratic Party's name revision work, explained at a press conference in 2015, "Our new party name is 'Deobureo Minjudang' (The Minjoo Party of Korea)," adding, "(The party name) should be easy to remember and easy to say. The word 'Deobureo' (together) at the front has the advantage of connecting with various aspects of people's democracy." At that time, the New Politics Alliance for Democracy decided on the name 'Deobureo Minjudang' through a public contest.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
