It’s like going from Philip Morris to Altria. Facing the bleak landscape in which it is the most hated political party by more than 50% of the people, GNP is willing to try just about anything. Although Park Geun-Hye initially ruled out changing the name of the party, GNP reversed course on Thursday and announced that it have a new name and a logo based on the public’s suggestions.
Although the name change might be warranted, other things that GNP is trying are admirable in their desperation. For the upcoming National Assembly elections, the party is considering reflecting the “social networking services score” in the process of nominating the party’s official candidates. The “SNS Score” will reflect how active the candidates are on Facebook, Twitter, etc. GNP expects this measure to revamp its image among young voters, who overwhelmingly dislike GNP. But true to form, it is reported that some of the prospective GNP candidates are looking into purchasing Twitter accounts with a large number of followers.
GNP is also considering the issuance of “Promise with the People.” The draft released by GNP’s Emergency Response Committee includes: ”We will not use banmal“; “We will not play golf”; “We will fly economy”; “We will not charge Korail for train fare”; “We will not hire our family as our staff”; “We will be responsible for our staff’s actions”; “We will not smoke in public space”; “We will not engage in violence.” The draft also promises that anyone who breaks these promises three times will not be allowed to run for the National Assembly under GNP name.
I don’t think it is too partisan of me to say that the promises are not exactly a soaring vision of moral fortitude required of a legislator.
Try as GNP might, the survey still favors DUP. In the most recent survey, DUP led GNP 33% to 30.6%. For the presidential race, the support for Park Geun-Hye is not improving. Not only is she still losing huge to Ahn Cheol-Soo in a head-to-head matchup (56.4% to 34.9% in the most recent survey), but also Moon Jae-In is rapidly catching up to her. Although Park Geun-Hye led Moon 46.7% to 38.4% in the most recent survey, Moon narrowed the gap from 16% to 8.3% in just one month.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Any suggestions for GNP’s new name and logo? My suggested names might be too vulgar, but my suggested logo is not.
The name change has worked well for the DP in the past. MDP, Uri, DUP…..I can’t think of any others of the top of my head. If the GNP tries the same ploy it’s pathetic though?
No, I think the name change is a good idea. What’s pathetic are the other things, like SNS Score or promise not to smoke in public places.
I’ve been waiting for a political party with the courage to forswear beating people up. Count me in!
I nominate “골프를 하지 않겠습니다” as quite possibly the most ridiculous political promise ever made.
And as both an Eisenhower conservative and a scratch player with a good back swing and a strong short game, I take offense!
Damn radicals!
DLB
Gyeonggi Doh #2, I had a similar initial thought. To a casual observer like nayaCasey, it seems that the political parties in South Korea are constantly changing their names, merging into new parties. I guess with the constant purges and in-fighting that it is not surprising.
They brought it upon themselves, really. Remember how Roh Moo-Hyun’s prime minister had to resign because he dared to play golf on a national holiday? Even as a double bogey golfer, I am outraged as well.
“We will fly economy”
That’s a much easier promise to make in a country like Korea than in Canada or America. Quite frankly if my MP is flying five hours to and from Ottawa on a weekly basis I want him in business class – I don’t want someone who spends two days a week dealing with constant hassles and getting almost no work down representing me.
The smoking in public is sure a funny one. Maybe it’s so you can’t tell your security guard you’re going for a smoke and then sneak off to jump off a cliff?
Millennium Party, Uri Party, UNDP, DUP:
The name may change, but the logo remains…
DUP: Never Forget!
How about a name change from Whig to Republican Party?… hehehe.
An awful lot of things they *won’t* do. That’s not a policy; it’s an antipolicy.
No mention of not taking any bribes?
How about a new slogan for them as well:
“GNP – We’ve upped our standards so up yours as well.”
Golf isn’t so tough. Kim Young-sam prohibited government employees from playing it during his administration.
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