Party Name Change Process Through the Convention
Limitations in Revealing the 'New Party' Identity
Rising Support... Also Calls to Retain Party Name
Both Floor Leaders Promise "Commitment to Change Will Be Kept"
The Reform New Party has announced plans to change its party name at the party convention next month, but opinions within the party are divided over whether to make the change. Some argue that the party should retain the name Reform New Party that has been used so far, while others insist on adopting a new name that clearly reflects the party’s identity. There are also voices suggesting that the party name should be changed to 'Hanguk-ui Huimang' (Korea’s Hope), a condition set by Floor Leader Yang Hyang-ja for the merger with the Reform New Party.
The Reform New Party will begin the process of changing its party name along with electing a new party leader at the party convention on the 19th of next month. On the 15th, Representative Lee Jun-seok hinted at the possibility of a name change through social media (SNS), stating, "The term ‘new party’ cannot be used permanently." This was interpreted as acknowledging the limitations of the term ‘new party’ in expressing the party’s identity.
However, some within the party argue that since the name ‘Reform New Party’ is already known to the public, it should be retained. This is reflected in recent changes in party support ratings. According to a party support survey conducted by polling specialist Realmeter on behalf of Energy Economy Newspaper from the 25th to 26th of last month, targeting 1,004 voters aged 18 and over nationwide, the results were: People Power Party 34.1%, Democratic Party of Korea 35.1%, Homeland Innovation Party 13.5%, and Reform New Party 6.2%. While the Homeland Innovation Party dropped by 0.9 percentage points compared to the previous week, the Reform New Party rose by 1.4 percentage points, re-entering the 6% range.
In response, Jeon Seong-gyun, a Reform New Party Hwaseong City council member running for party leader, expressed the opinion that "the party name should be maintained as is." Councilor Jeon argued, "With the local elections approaching soon, it is difficult to approach the public with a new party name again," and insisted that "the name change should be discussed after the presidential election." One party member also suggested maintaining the current party name by changing only the meaning of the character ‘신’ (new) in Reform New Party to ‘신’ meaning ‘to advance’ or ‘펼신(伸)’ meaning ‘to expand.’
On the other hand, some point out the need for a new party name that can establish the identity of reform conservatism. Since the current name was used as a provisional name before the party’s founding, there is a demand for a clear party name that differentiates it from existing conservative parties.
There are also opinions that the party name should be changed to 'Hanguk-ui Huimang' (Korea’s Hope), which Floor Leader Yang Hyang-ja founded. Earlier in January, Representative Lee agreed with Floor Leader Yang that the party name would remain Reform New Party until the April 10 general election, and then be changed to Hanguk-ui Huimang within 60 days after the election through a party convention. Floor Leader Yang maintains that the agreement on the name change is still valid.
In a phone interview with Asia Economy, Floor Leader Yang said, "Since the most important condition at the time of the merger was the party name change, I believe that promise will be kept." However, he added, "Since the party members’ opinions are important in the name change, if all members oppose (Hanguk-ui Huimang), there is nothing we can do, but I do not think that will happen." He seemed cautious about the possibility of internal conflict if the agreement on the name change is broken.
The current party leadership is avoiding giving a definitive answer regarding the party name change. Party member Chun Ha-ram said in an interview with a media outlet, "Since we respected the Hanguk-ui Huimang party, we pushed for the change, but the next party leader will decide, and there are indeed opinions about (the change)." At the same time, he said, "The party name change is a matter for the next party leader to decide, so it is not easy to speak carelessly about it."
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