Open Democratic Party

The Open Democratic Party (Korean: 열린민주당) is a liberal[4] political party in South Korea formed on 8 March 2020.

Not to be confused with Uri Party or Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats.
Open Democratic Party

열린민주당
LeaderChoi Kang-wook
Floor LeaderKim Jinai
Secretary-GeneralAhn Won-goo
Chair of the Policy Planning Committeevacant
Founded8 March 2020
Split fromDemocratic Party of Korea
HeadquartersCheongdam Building, Dosan-daero, Gangnam, Seoul
Ideology
Political positionCentre-left[1][2] to centre[3]
Colours  Yellow
  Blue
Seats in the National Assembly
3 / 300
Municipal mayor and Gubernatorial
0 / 17
Municipal Mayors
0 / 226
Seats within local government
0 / 2,926
Website
openminjoo.org

History

On 28 February 2020, Chung Bong-ju, a former Democratic MP, announced his intention to form a new party.[5] He had initially launched his bid to run for Seoul Gangseo 1st constituency for 2020 election under the Democratic banner[6] but was disqualified by the party due to controversies including sexual harassment.[7] He, however, declared not to run for the election.[5]

Lee Keun-shik, the then-leader of the group, harshly criticised the United Future Party (UFP) for establishing its satellite party, the Future Korea Party (FKP), in order to overcome the new electoral law granting proportional seats.[8] He denounced the UFP's action as "immoral"[8] while emphasising they will stop the UFP-FKP duo to win the election.[9]

Sohn Hye-won, an independent MP who had quit the Democratic Party, announced they would join this party.[10]

On 8 March 2020, the party was officially formed and elected Lee Keun-shik as its president.[11]

The party gained only three seats, much less than expectations. Lee resigned on 19 April in order to take responsibility of the party's defeat.[12] On 12 May 2020, Choi Kang-wook was elected as the new president of the party.[13]

Political positions

The party has criticised the Democratic Party for adopting a more conservative approach in recent years.[5] However, Sohn Hye-won said that the party will welcome both conservatives and progressives, should they wish to join.[3]

Election results

General elections
Election National Assembly Government President
Votes % Seats won
2020 1,512,763 5.4%
3 / 300
 Opposition Lee Keun-shik

References
  1. "S.Korean Prez's approval rating falls to 43.3%: Poll". FreshersLive. Indo-Asian News Service. 13 August 2020.
  2. "S.Korean ruling party wins landslide victory in parliamentary polls". Kalinga TV. Indo-Asian News Service. 16 April 2020.
  3. "열린민주당, 보수쪽으로까지 정치 스펙트럼 '확장' (The Open Democratic Party, 'extends' its political position to the conservative side.)". 7 March 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  4. Bisbee, Cory (17 April 2020). "COVID-19 Factor Powers South Korea's Ruling Party to Historic Victory". The Diplomat.
  5. "정봉주, 비례정당 '열린민주당' 창당…"민주당 위성정당 아냐"". 28 February 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  6. "정봉주 "강서갑 출마…당 지도부와 설 전 만날 것"". 22 January 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  7. "부적격 판정 정봉주 "당이 가시밭길 걸을 수도" 무슨 의미?". 11 February 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  8. "정봉주, 비례 정당 '열린민주당' 창당 선언…"저는 21대 총선서 국회 들어가지 않겠다"". 28 February 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  9. "결국 진보비례정당 '열린민주당' 등장". 28 February 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  10. "손혜원, 정봉주와 손잡아…열린민주당 8일 창당". 6 March 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  11. "정봉주 주도 '열린민주당' 공식 출범…이근식 대표 추대". 8 March 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  12. "열린민주, 이근식·정봉주 사임…최강욱 비대위 체제". 19 April 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  13. "열린민주당 첫 당대표에 최강욱 당선자 선출". 12 May 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
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