New Progressive Party: A History of South Korea's Leftist Political Struggle
The New Progressive Party (NPP) emerged as a significant voice for labor and leftist ideals in South Korean politics. From its early leadership under Roh Hoe-chan to its complex series of mergers and electoral challenges, the party's trajectory reflects the volatile nature of progressive political organization in the region.
Key Facts
- First President: Roh Hoe-chan, elected during the 2004 Parliamentary election.
- First Seat Win: Achieved in the April 29, 2009, by-election in Ulsan.
- Key Alliances: Negotiated with the Democratic Labor Party (DLP) and merged with the Socialist Party in 2012.
- Legal Status: Became unregistered after failing to secure 3% of the proportional vote in the 19th National Assembly Election.
Early Leadership and Electoral Hurdles
The party's foundation was closely tied to Roh Hoe-chan, who served as the first party president. Despite Roh's personal popularity and strong performance in pre-vote surveys, the NPP struggled to translate this momentum into legislative power during the 2008 general election, failing to secure any seats in the National Assembly.
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The Breakthrough in Ulsan
A turning point occurred during the by-election on April 29, 2009. Targeting the district of Ulsan due to its high pro-labor population, the NPP nominated Cho Seung-soo, a former Assembly Member (AM) for Ulsan Buk-gu. To ensure a strong progressive front, the NPP negotiated with the Democratic Labor Party (DLP) to field a sole progressive candidate.
This strategic alliance proved successful. Cho Seung-soo defeated the candidate from the Grand National Party (GNP), granting the NPP its first seat in the legislature.
Internal Conflict and Political Shifts
The party faced significant turbulence between 2010 and 2011. During the Seoul mayoral election in 2010, Roh Hoe-chan secured 3% of the vote. However, this result sparked criticism from supporters of the Democratic Party's Han Myung-sook, who had narrowly trailed the winner, Oh Se-hoon, by only 1-2%.
Internal stability further declined in 2011. A proposal to merge with the Democratic Labor Party failed after a party member referendum yielded only 50% approval. This led to the departure of Cho Seung-soo, resulting in the loss of the party's sole National Assembly seat. By December 2011, another faction led by Sim Sang-jeong left the NPP to join the Unified Progressive Party.
Mergers and Deregistration
In an effort to consolidate leftist strength, the NPP proposed a union with the Socialist Party in 2012. The Socialist Party approved the move with a 93% majority vote on February 19, 2012, and the two parties officially held a unity ceremony on March 4, 2012.
Despite these efforts, the party faced a legal crisis following the 19th National Assembly Election on April 11, 2012. Under South Korean law, parties that fail to gain 2% of the vote are automatically deregistered. Because the NPP failed to reach the 3% proportional vote threshold, it lost its official registered status.
Consequently, the party was prohibited from using its current name until 2016. On April 24, the party convened a national committee to establish a "New party forming committee" to reorganize as a new leftist entity representing the Labor Party.
Summary of NPP Political Milestones
| Year | Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Parliamentary Election | Roh Hoe-chan elected as first president |
| 2008 | General Election | Failed to take seats in National Assembly |
| 2009 | Ulsan By-election | Cho Seung-soo wins; NPP gains first seat |
| 2011 | DLP Merger Referendum | Proposal failed (50% approval) |
| 2012 | Socialist Party Merger | Unity ceremony held March 4 |
| 2012 | 19th National Assembly Election | Deregistered for failing to meet vote threshold |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the first president of the New Progressive Party?
The first president was Roh Hoe-chan, who was elected during the 2004 Parliamentary election as a member of the Democratic Labor Party.
How did the NPP finally win a seat in the National Assembly?
The NPP won a seat in the April 29, 2009, by-election in Ulsan. This was achieved by nominating Cho Seung-soo and negotiating a sole progressive candidacy with the Democratic Labor Party to defeat the Grand National Party candidate.
Why did the NPP lose its registered status in 2012?
The party became unregistered because it failed to secure the required 3% of the proportional vote in the 19th National Assembly Election. South Korean law automatically deregisters parties that fail to reach a 2% vote threshold.
What happened after the NPP was deregistered?
Because the party could not use its name until 2016, it convened a national committee on April 24, 2012, to form a "New party forming committee" to create a new leftist party representing the Labor Party.
Did the NPP successfully merge with the Democratic Labor Party?
No. While the Democratic Labor Party suggested a merger in 2011, the proposal failed in a referendum of NPP party members, receiving only 50% approval.