Bareun Party: The Rise and Merger of South Korea's Reformist Conservatives
The Bareun Party (바른정당), which translates to the "Righteous Political Party," was a significant player in the landscape of South Korean politics during a period of intense factional realignment. Emerging as a voice for reform within the conservative movement, the party sought to carve out a distinct identity amidst the shifting loyalties of the National Assembly.
Initially known as the Conservative New Party for Reform until early January 2017, the party was born from a major schism within the Saenuri Party. This split was driven by internal conflicts between factions supporting and opposing then-President Park Geun-hye.
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Key Facts
- Founded: 27 December 2016 (as a parliamentary group); 25 January 2017 (as a political party).
- Ideology: South Korean Conservatism (Centre-right).
- Key Leader: Yoo Seong-min.
- Primary Color: Sky Blue.
- Dissolved: 13 February 2018, following a merger.
- Predecessor: Split from the Saenuri Party.
- Successor: Merged into the Bareunmirae Party.
The Formation and Political Identity
The Bareun Party officially began its journey on 27 December 2016, when 29 lawmakers defected from the Saenuri Party. By 25 January 2017, it had transitioned from a parliamentary negotiation body into a fully recognized political party. The party's platform was rooted in conservatism, positioning itself as a centre-right force in the South Korean political spectrum.
Leadership Structure
During its tenure, the party was guided by several key figures who managed its policy and legislative strategies:
- Leader: Yoo Seong-min
- Floor Leader: Oh Sin-hwan
- Secretary General: Kim Sung-dong
- Chairman of the Policy Planning Committee: Ji Sang-wook
Challenges and Defections
The party's existence was marked by significant instability due to a series of high-profile defections. These departures often weakened the party's influence within the National Assembly—the legislative body of South Korea.
Timeline of Departures
The loss of lawmakers occurred in several waves:
- Early 2017: By April 2017, the party had lost 14 lawmakers.
- May 2017: Just before the presidential election, 13 lawmakers defected to rejoin the Liberty Korea Party (LKP). This occurred after presidential candidate Yoo Seong-min declined to form a united front with LKP's Hong Joon-pyo and People's Party's Ahn Cheol-soo. This exodus left the party with only 19 seats, falling just short of the 20 seats required to maintain status as a formal negotiating body.
- Late 2017: Ahead of the November leadership contest, eight more lawmakers rejoined the LKP, including the party's floor leader, Joo Ho-young.
- Early 2018: On 9 January 2018, lawmaker Kim Se-yeon, Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil, and lawmaker Park In-sook defected to the LKP.
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The Merger into Bareunmirae Party
In an effort to strengthen their parliamentary standing before the June local elections, the Bareun Party's leadership announced a plan to merge with the People's Party, led by Ahn Cheol-soo. While the merger faced internal opposition due to ideological differences—specifically regarding policies toward North Korea—the Bareun Party approved the plan on 5 February 2018.
The merger was finalized on 13 February 2018, resulting in the creation of the Bareunmirae Party.
Summary of Party Profile
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Bareun Party (바른정당) |
| Political Position | Centre-right / Right wing |
| 2017 Presidential Result | Yoo Seung-min (6.76% of votes) |
| Website | bareun.party |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the original name of the Bareun Party?
Before officially adopting the name Bareun Party, it was known as the Conservative New Party for Reform until 8 January 2017.
Why did many lawmakers leave the Bareun Party?
Many defections were linked to strategic disagreements, particularly regarding the decision by presidential candidate Yoo Seong-min not to join forces with other major candidates for a single unified candidacy.
What happened to the Bareun Party in 2018?
The party merged with the People's Party to form the Bareunmirae Party, a move finalized on 13 February 2018.
How many seats did the party hold during its most difficult period?
Following the mass defections in May 2017, the party was left with 19 seats, which was one seat short of the 20 required to be recognized as a negotiating body in the National Assembly.
Who was the Bareun Party's presidential candidate?
Yoo Seong-min was the party's candidate in the 2017 election, receiving 2,208,771 votes (6.76%).