"Don't Use 'Ahn Cheol-soo New Party'" 'Name Party Name' Usage Not Allowed, What Do You Think?

The Election Commission Denies Use of New Party Name as 'De Facto Pre-Election Campaign'
Party Formation Planning Team Claims Violation of Freedom to Use Party Names

Former lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo is speaking at an expert meeting on responding to the novel coronavirus held at the Korean Medical Association Yongsan Temporary Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 6th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] A controversy has arisen over the new party promoted by former People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo being prohibited from using the name 'Ahn Cheol-soo New Party.'

The Central Election Commission (CEC) disallowed the use of the new party's name citing reasons such as 'de facto pre-election campaigning.' While Ahn Cheol-soo's side expressed strong regret, some political circles supported the CEC's decision. Additionally, some citizens voiced disappointment, saying this issue should have been resolved within the political sphere rather than by the CEC.

On the afternoon of the 6th, the CEC held a plenary meeting at its office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, to discuss the possibility of using the party name 'Ahn Cheol-soo New Party.' The commission announced, "It has been decided that the name cannot be used as a party name because it violates Article 8, Paragraph 2, Article 116, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution, and Article 2 of the Political Parties Act, which guarantee the purpose and essence of political parties and equal opportunities for election campaigning."

The CEC cited reasons for disallowing the name including ▲undemocratic disruption of party governance order ▲de facto pre-election campaigning ▲possibility of confusion with politician Ahn Cheol-soo during voting.

In particular, the commission stated, "Since the candidate's name is also recorded in the affiliated party name section on the ballot paper during the voting process, it may cause voters to mistake or confuse the incumbent politician (Ahn Cheol-soo) with the actual candidate, potentially distorting the voter's intention."

◆ Party Formation Planning Team "Expresses Strong Regret Over CEC Decision"

Ahn's side expressed strong regret but announced they would select a new party name. The party formation planning team members Lee Tae-gyu and Kim Kyung-hwan issued a statement saying, "We express strong regret over the illegal CEC decision that infringes on the freedom to use party names without legal grounds."

However, they added, "The new party has started the work of creating a new political party with the goal of changing Korean politics. We believe achieving that goal is more important, so we will select a new party name that can be loved by the people and continue on the path to change Korean politics."

They also raised suspicions, stating, "If a political party advocates political lines or beliefs and the name of the politician who championed them is widely known to symbolize those lines or beliefs or is effective in representing such political directions, using a party name that includes that name falls within the freedom to use party names. We cannot help but suspect this is a political judgment rather than a legal one."

Supportive opinions emerged in the political sphere. On the 7th, the Alternative New Party applauded the CEC's decision on the 6th to disallow the name 'Ahn Cheol-soo New Party,' saying, "We applaud the CEC's action that stopped former lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo's childish attempt."

Spokesperson Jang Jung-sook released a written comment that morning, saying, "It is questionable whether a politician who intends to insert his own name into a public party's name to exploit his trivial fame can understand the basics of party democracy that guards against factionalization." She added, "Former lawmaker Ahn should apologize to the people first and relearn politics from the beginning."

She further criticized, "Is the political ridicule reflected in party names limited to just the Ahn Cheol-soo New Party? In the past, 'Pro-Park Alliance' was like that, and recently 'Future Korea Party' is another example of damaging national dignity in the same context. It is a terrible case where any means are used for political gain."

Former lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, who is preparing to establish a new party, is leaving the press conference room after announcing the National Assembly reform plan at the National Assembly Press Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 4th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, there are differing opinions. A 40-year-old office worker A, who said he regularly follows political news, questioned, "Isn't this kind of controversy something that should be resolved within the political sphere?" He emphasized, "The responsibility should also lie with the political circles."

Another 40-year-old office worker B also said, "I am curious about the general public's opinion on the Ahn Cheol-soo New Party," adding, "If the law says so, it cannot be helped, but it is worth publicizing and discussing."

Earlier, critical voices also came from the ruling party regarding the 'Ahn Cheol-soo New Party.' Former Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Chung-rae criticized former People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo on his Facebook post on the 4th, saying, "He is extremely arrogant and presumptuous."

Jung further pointed out, "Kim Dae-jung and Kim Young-sam did not create parties named 'Kim Dae-jung New Party' or 'Kim Young-sam New Party,' and even dictators Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan did not dare to name parties after themselves."

He added, "Democracy declares that the people are the owners of the country, and democratic parties declare that party members are the owners. So, 'Ahn Cheol-soo New Party'? Even if Ahn Cheol-soo is the driving force behind the party, I never dreamed that the party name would be 'Ahn Cheol-soo New Party.'"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.