Popular Party (South Korea)


The Popular Party 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 member of Hankyoreh Democratic Party and Party of the People. 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, and officially formed on 10 November 1990 as Popular Party. That day, they also elected Lee Woo-jae as its Permanent President, Kim Sang-ki and Kim Nak-joong as Co-Presidents, Jang Gi-pyo as Chairman of Policy, and Lee Jae-oh as Secretary-General.
During the local elections in 1991, 42 candidates ran under the banner of PP, and only 1 was elected. In the general election in 1992, 51 were running, and no one was elected. The party was immediately deregistered under the electoral law.
Many of members changed their ideology to right. Notable figures i.e. Kim Moon-soo, Lee Jae-oh, and Cha Myong-jin, later joined right-wing Democratic Liberal Party, and now as members of its successor Liberty Korea Party. 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.

Policies

The party advocated planned economy, and sought for the nationalisation of industries, financial institutions, natural resources, and land. It also supported the labour policies of Swedish Social Democratic Party.
The party refused to merge with Democratic Party, although they considered about electoral alliances.

1992 election manifestos

The party announced its 15 manifestos for 1992 election.

General election

Local election