The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Sun, May 29, 2022 | 00:14
-------------------------
Roh Followers Create New Party
Posted : 2010-01-17 17:08
Updated : 2010-01-17 17:08
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Lee Tae-hoon
Staff Reporter

Former Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung was elected Sunday as the leader of a new liberal party during its inaugural convention in Seoul. It is named the People's Participation Party (PPP) and is composed of supporters of the late President Roh Moo-hyun.

"We are here to make a fresh start and revive the spirit of former President Roh Moo-hyun," the 65-year-old said after his election.

Rhyu Si-min, health and welfare minister during the previous Roh administration, did not participate in the leadership contest. He is expected to run for Seoul mayor on the party's ticket in the June 2 local elections.

Lee, a former theology professor, was the sole candidate running for the chairmanship. He served as unification minister between December 2006 and February 2008, and has been chairman of the Institute for Future Korea, a private think tank launched in June 2008.

"The PPP is open to communicate, discuss and ally with anyone to usher in a bright new era of politics," Lee said.

The party will likely select its candidate for the Seoul mayoral race at a Supreme Council meeting Tuesday, a party spokesman, Yang Soon-pil, told The Korea Times.

The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) denounced the establishment of the party, warning that the division of the liberal camp will only result in the splitting of votes.

"The PPP, which has been founded without any new value, is an exact duplicate of the DP," DP spokesman Noh Young-min said.

"There is no excuse to justify splitting the liberal forces at a time when the formation of a unified front might be insufficient to win elections."

DP Chairman Chung Sye-kyun also expressed concern that the new liberal party might deal a blow to the DP in the upcoming local elections.

"The upcoming elections will be tough for liberals and reformists to win even if we are united," Chung said. "It is needless to say that we will find it more difficult to win in the elections if we are divided."

However, the PPP refuted the claim that its establishment would weaken the collective power of opposition parties, saying it would rather create synergistic effect to garner public support.

The PPP will seek to form a coalition with other opposition groups to win the polls to pick mayors, governors and council members, Yang said.

He said the party has reached a consensus on the need to have one candidate between the two parties, but is against the method that DP Chairman Chung suggested in candidate mergers.

"The PPP wants the strongest candidates among liberal forces to run in the upcoming elections, instead of unconditionally backing the DP candidates." Yang said.

leeth@koreatimes.co.kr
 
  • Korean Mental Health: Stranger Things
  • S. Korea's new COVID-19 cases below 20,000 for 3rd day as pandemic slows
  • Dutch Korean artist's project: The Mother Mountain Institute of Sara Sejin Chang
  • KOICA launches interactive town in metaverse for overseas volunteer program
  • Why Mario Outlet founder keeps buying houses of former presidents
  • Uvalde school police chief faulted in shooting response
  • 'Russia needs huge financial resources for military operations'
  • Union agress to resume late-night subway services in Seoul starting next month
  • Former rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae to wed in August
  • Koreans hit polls on last day of early voting for local elections
  • Korean films make splash at Cannes Film Festival Korean films make splash at Cannes Film Festival
  • From BTS to TWICE's Nayeon, K-pop hotshots prepare June releases From BTS to TWICE's Nayeon, K-pop hotshots prepare June releases
  • How did BTS become beacon of diversity and inclusion? How did BTS become beacon of diversity and inclusion?
  • K-pop band BTS and Biden to meet to discuss Asian inclusion, discrimination K-pop band BTS and Biden to meet to discuss Asian inclusion, discrimination
  • For new cultural policy for hallyu For new cultural policy for hallyu
DARKROOM
  • 75th Cannes Film Festival

    75th Cannes Film Festival

  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

    People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group