South Korea's main opposition People Power Party (PPP) has decided to change its name next month as a symbolic step to revamp its image ahead of local elections in less than five months. The move comes amid turmoil following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law declaration. Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok unveiled the rebranding as part of reform measures last week, accompanied by an apology for the incident.
SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's main opposition People Power Party (PPP) announced on Monday that it will change its name next month, securing more than 68 percent approval at its supreme council meeting. The decision aims to shed the party's tarnished image following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's abortive martial law bid, with local elections approaching in under five months.
PPP leader Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok revealed the rebranding last week during a press conference where he apologized for Yoon's declaration. As part of broader reforms, the party plans a public contest to select the new name. The current moniker, adopted in early September 2020 after an election loss, would be discarded after about five years, marking the conservative bloc's fifth such change.
Historically, the party has rebranded amid crises like impeachments, scandals, and defeats. It began as the Democratic Liberal Party in 1990, becoming the New Korea Party in 1996 after the imprisonments of former Presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, then the Grand National Party in 1997. Further shifts occurred to Saenuri Party in 2012, Liberty Korea Party post-Park Geun-hye's 2017 impeachment, United Future Party in 2020 before elections, and PPP shortly after the defeat.
The PPP remains in disarray from the martial law fallout, and this symbolic step is part of efforts to rebuild trust ahead of the polls against the Democratic Party.
