By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
The main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) is seeking to change its name to the Democratic Party (DP) ahead of a national convention on July 6 to elect new party leaders.
A party official said Wednesday the party's preparatory committee for the convention decided to change its name Tuesday.
The proposal will be presented to a meeting of the the party's decision-making Supreme Council soon, he added.
``The party is already 'united.' So we don't find any necessity to use that word in the name,'' said Kim Won-ki, chairman of the committee. ``Besides, the name is confusing.''
The UDP merged with the minor opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Feb. 11 after several rounds of negotiation.
Currently, Reps. Choo Mi-ae, who belonged to the DP, and Chung Sye-kyun who led the now-defunct Uri Party, are leading the race for the party's chairman. Members of the Supreme Council will also be elected.