DP, Ahn in tug of war over retaining ‘democratic' in name
By Jun Ji-hye
Whether a new coalition party to be set up between the Democratic Party (DP) and Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo will retain "minju," or democratic, in the new name has emerged as one of the most contentious issues between the two camps.
The main opposition party wants to include the word "Democratic" in the name, arguing that it has been a symbol of the opposition force throughout the party's history.
On the other hand, Ahn's side says that "new politics" should be included, as it has long been Ahn's main buzz phrase since the last presidential election in 2012.
Ahn's aides are even calling for pulling "Democratic" out of the name entirely, on the basis that the word would contribute little to promote the coalition's new politics.
DP Chairman Kim Han-gil and Ahn announced their plan last week to form a new coalition party to confront the ruling Saenuri Party in the June 4 local elections, and eventually challenge the government in the next presidential poll in 2017.
Since then, the two forces have been working on preparatory measures, including drawing up the coalition's platform and policies.
In the opposition's history, "Democratic" has been dropped only twice ― when late President Kim Dae-jung created the National Congress for New Politics in 1995, and when late President Roh Moo-hyun established the Uri Party in 2003.
Some senior members of the DP have expressed concern over a possible exclusion of "Democratic."
"The Democratic Party, which previously came to power for 10 years, has a 60-year history. I hope the word ‘Democratic' will be included in the coalition's name," said third-term lawmaker Park Jie-won who was one of the closest confidants to late President Kim Dae-jung.
But some insiders say the two sides stand a chance of excluding "Democratic" because the DP earlier promised to make some concessions in the process of creating the coalition.
Rep. Min Byung-doo, the DP's member of the two sides' task force to prepare for the coalition, said Tuesday that the team is working to choose the most appropriate name to simultaneously reflect the assets and values of the two opposition forces.
"Plus, we are trying to establish an image that will convince the public of our will to change," said Min. "To decide the final name, we will collect suggestions from the people."
Geum Tae-sub, spokesman for the Ahn camp, said the team will receive public suggestions from Wednesday to Friday.
Park Kwang-on, DP's spokesman, added that the final name will be announced this Sunday.
By Jun Ji-hye
Whether a new coalition party to be set up between the Democratic Party (DP) and Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo will retain "minju," or democratic, in the new name has emerged as one of the most contentious issues between the two camps.
The main opposition party wants to include the word "Democratic" in the name, arguing that it has been a symbol of the opposition force throughout the party's history.
On the other hand, Ahn's side says that "new politics" should be included, as it has long been Ahn's main buzz phrase since the last presidential election in 2012.
Ahn's aides are even calling for pulling "Democratic" out of the name entirely, on the basis that the word would contribute little to promote the coalition's new politics.
DP Chairman Kim Han-gil and Ahn announced their plan last week to form a new coalition party to confront the ruling Saenuri Party in the June 4 local elections, and eventually challenge the government in the next presidential poll in 2017.
Since then, the two forces have been working on preparatory measures, including drawing up the coalition's platform and policies.
In the opposition's history, "Democratic" has been dropped only twice ― when late President Kim Dae-jung created the National Congress for New Politics in 1995, and when late President Roh Moo-hyun established the Uri Party in 2003.
Some senior members of the DP have expressed concern over a possible exclusion of "Democratic."
"The Democratic Party, which previously came to power for 10 years, has a 60-year history. I hope the word ‘Democratic' will be included in the coalition's name," said third-term lawmaker Park Jie-won who was one of the closest confidants to late President Kim Dae-jung.
But some insiders say the two sides stand a chance of excluding "Democratic" because the DP earlier promised to make some concessions in the process of creating the coalition.
Rep. Min Byung-doo, the DP's member of the two sides' task force to prepare for the coalition, said Tuesday that the team is working to choose the most appropriate name to simultaneously reflect the assets and values of the two opposition forces.
"Plus, we are trying to establish an image that will convince the public of our will to change," said Min. "To decide the final name, we will collect suggestions from the people."
Geum Tae-sub, spokesman for the Ahn camp, said the team will receive public suggestions from Wednesday to Friday.
Park Kwang-on, DP's spokesman, added that the final name will be announced this Sunday.
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