Grand National Party

Infobox Political Party
colorcode=#0000ff
party_name=Grand National Party
party_logo=
leader=Park Hee-tae
foundation=1990
headquarters=Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
ideology= Conservatism,Right wing,Anti-socialism
international=International Democrat Union
website= [http://www.hannara.or.kr/hannara/english/index.htm www.hannara.or.kr] The Grand National Party is a conservative-leaning political party in South Korea. Its Korean name, "Hannara", may be translated either as "Grand Nation" or "One Nation," due to the double meaning of "han".

The ruling GNP holds a majority of seats in the 18th Assembly, lasting from 2008 to 2012.

History

The party was originated from the military dictator of Chun_Doo-hwan [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chun_Doo-hwan] in 1980's, especially the dictator party the Democratic Justice Party. [http://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%AF%BC%EC%A3%BC%EC%A0%95%EC%9D%98%EB%8B%B9] The party was renamed in the mid-1990, when the old military dictator parties--most notably the Democratic Justice Party--merged to form the Democratic Liberal Party ("Minju Jayudang"). It was renamed to the New Korea Party ("Sinhangukdang") in 1995, and then became the Grand National Party in November 1997 following its merger with the smaller Democratic Party.Fact|date=August 2008

Its opponents tried to discredit it by linking it to old right-wing parties dating back to the dictatorships in the 1960s and '70s. Considering the dramatic changes in political climate that have taken place in South Korea since then, these parties have been severely curtailed hence the formation of a new coalition. In 1980, the military presidency of Chun_Doo-hwan supported by this party killed more than 200 citizens in Gwang-ju. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwangju_massacre]

Following the 2000 parliamentary elections it was the single largest political party, with 54% of the vote and 147 seats out of 271. However, its former leader Lee Hoi-chang lost twice in the presidential election (in 1997 and 2002) following a series of scandals and accusations.Fact|date=August 2008

The party was defeated in the parliamentary election in 2004 following the impeachment of President Roh, gaining only 121 seats out of 299. The defeat reflected the public disapproval of the impeachment which was steered by the party. It was the first time in its history that the party or its predecessors had not won the most seats. It gained back six seats in by-elections, bringing it to 127 seats as of October 28, 2005.Fact|date=August 2008

Current status

On December 19, 2007, the GNP's candidate Lee Myung-bak won the presidential election. [ [http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i-GKXzEN4bwy3Q1UuOk5uOvciXrQ AFP: Bush congratulates South Korean president-elect Lee ] ]

On April 2008 general election, GNP secured majority of 153 seats out of 299. Now GNP seized power in the administration and the parliament as well as most local governments.Fact|date=August 2008

On the performance of President Lee Myung-bak and of Grand National Party, 25.4 percent recently answered "good" and 67.3 percent "bad" according to Donga Ilbo. [http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=050000&biid=2008081508548] At present, he lost the political support in every region in the South Korea. The makeup of the Grand National Party members at present is diverse in provincial origin and political thought.Or|date=August 2008 Former party head and 2007 presidential candidate Park Geun-hye is the daughter of former Dictator-President Park Chung-hee who ruled from 1963 to 1979. Although Representative Won Hee-ryeong and Hong Jun-pyo runs for the party primary as a reform candidate, and former Seoul mayor and their official presidential candidate Lee Myung-bak gains more support (about 40%) from the Korean public, these types of family connections are viewed by many as evidence of continued domination of the party by the old elite.Or|date=August 2008Fact|date=August 2008

Policy

The GNP supports free trade and entrepreneurship, expanded support for the large chaebols, neoliberal economic policies, lower taxes, and lower social welfare spending. The GNP also favours maintaining strong ties with the United States, Japan while distancing South Korea from China, Russia.

The party's conservative, pro-American stance often makes it the target of hyperbolic criticism by North Korea's state-controlled media.

ee also

*Politics of South Korea
*List of political parties in South Korea
*List of political parties
*List of Korea-related topics
*Uri Party
*Chun Doo-hwan
*Gwangju massacre

References