The party was formed when loyalists to president Roh Moo-hyun in the Uri Party chose to break ranks from other party members who showed lukewarm support for the administration. Some 80 out of 152 lawmakers of the Uri Party joined the new party, a conservative-liberal minority group from the Hannara Party (led by Son Hak-Gyu), and a group of progressive civil rights' group from outside South Korean politics also joined, seeking to complete political reforms.
As a result of merge with the Uri Party, this party has been ranked as the biggest political party in the legislative by 140 of 298 seats (as of January 14, 2008). After receiving a 'shocked' result at the 2007 presidential election, the delegates of its party decided to elect a new leader, with adopting a 'Papal conclave'-style system. On January 11, with more than a half delegates' vote, Son Hak-gyu was elected to lead at the 2008 parliamentary election.[2]
Principles of policies
This party's platform emphasized these 4 key ideologies.[3]
These list of key events has been managed by its public primary election committee (국민경선위원회).[4]
August 21 and August 22, 2007 - Official announcement has been made by its committee. Registration process has been done.
August 25, 2007 - The full list of official candidate for the primary has been announced. 'Cut-off' process begins.
August 27, 2007 - 'The policy debate' for its candidates has been done.
September 5, 2007 - The result of cut-off election (to nominate 5 candidates to go to its primary) will be announced.
September 5 to September 14, 2007 - Nationwide 'Policy debate'(tour) will be held in several cities.
September 15 to October 14, 2007 - The primary election will be held in 8 multi-regional areas. (see 'Results' for more details)
October 14, 2007 - Chung Dong-young was elected as the official presidential candidate of the party.
Rules
Cut-off process (August 25 – September 5)
The official result of cut-off process has been combining a result from public poll(50%), and a poll result from its 10,000 randomly selected delegates(50%). 'Public poll' has been conducted from all eligible voters (whether this party is in favour or not).
Top-5 candidates who earn more votes will join to its official primary(Result has been announced-see 'Candidates')
3. Public opinion polls which conducted from October 8 to 14
Method 1 and 2 grants exactly 90% of results (Method 3 grants 10%). The official candidate of this party will be nominated on October 14, just after the last regional rounds finishes. Due to the executives of this party's decision, All candidates did not contested during the Hangawi holidays and the 2007 Inter-Korean summit periods.
Candidates
As of August 25, 2007, 9 politicians has been set up to their presidential bid.[5] Before starting their official primary to the South Korean public, they have to access the 'cut-off' process to reduce from 9 to 5.[6] Later, the number of candidates reduced to 3 after ex-Health and Welfare Minister Rhyu Si-min and former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook quit the race.[7]
Here's a list of official candidates of the UNDP primary that announced on September 5, 2007, 05:30GMT.[8]
