Korea Vision Party

The Korea Vision Party (Korean: 국민생각, Gungmin Saenggak, "National Thought"), more commonly known as the K Party, is a center-rightist political party in South Korea. It was founded on 12 February 2012 by Park Se-il, president of the Hansun Foundation, a conservative think tank.[3] There are concerns that the K Party will split the conservative vote,[4] though Park Se-il met with Saenuri leader Park Geun-hye on 23 February, with Park Geun-hye commenting that "If a party holds the same values and orientation, we are open to partnering".[5] The party aims to field over 200 candidates in the April elections, favoring the selection of women and younger politicians.[6] In an opinion poll conducted on 24–25 February 2012, the K Party received a support level of 1.4%, out-ranking the more established New Progressive Party.[7] Analysts have nonetheless raised questions over the ability of the party to secure seats, even if sitting Assembly members do defect.[8]

Korea Vision Party
국민생각
PresidentPark Se-il
FoundedFebruary 27, 2012 (2012-02-27)
DissolvedApril 12, 2012 (2012-04-12)
Merged intoAdvancement Unification Party[1]
Headquarters14-3 Yeoeuido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
IdeologyReformative conservatism[2][3]
Political positionCenter-right[3]
ColorsOrange, white, blue
Korean name
Hangul
국민생각
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGungmin Saenggak
McCune–ReischauerKungmin Saenggak

The party has attempted to court defecting members of the larger Saenuri Party in the run-up to the 2012 Assembly elections,[8] with a particular focus on loyalists of Lee Myung-bak who have been alienated by the rise of Park Geun-hye.[9] Commentators have speculated that pro-Lee lawmakers such as Lee Jae-oh may defect to the K Party en masse,[10] and on March 9, 2012, the former Saenuri Party politician Jeon Yeo-ok defected to the K Party and became its first lawmaker.[11]

Electoral results
Election Leader Constituency Party list Seats Position Status
Votes  % Seats Votes  % Seats
2012 Suh Chung-won 44,379 0.21
0 / 246
 156,241 0.73
0 / 54
0 / 300
 8th Extra-parliamentary

References
  1. "국민생각 32명 선진당 입당. '수명연장의 꿈'".
  2. 새누리 보수연대 고심 신당·선진당과 물밑대화. Hankyoreh, 12 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012. (in Korean)
  3. Center-rightists challenge Saenuri party. Korea Times, 13 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  4. Conservative group splits off to launch ‘K Party’[Usurped!], Korea Joongang Daily, 14 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  5. Destructive division in conservative camp. Donga Ilbo, 24 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  6. New centrist party takes shape before April polls. Korea Times, 13 February 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  7. South Korean conservatives show renewed strength ahead of April elections Archived 2012-03-04 at the Wayback Machine. Asian Correspondent, 28 February 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  8. Unselected lawmakers threaten to desert. Korea Times, 6 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  9. Saenuri mixes up candidates with a few big surprises[Usurped!]. Korea Joongang Daily, 6 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  10. Pro-Lee faction leader blasts nominations. Korea Herald, 8 March 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  11. Rep. Chun leaves Saenuri for K Party. Korea Herald, 9 March 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
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