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DLP and the coming presidential election:

Labor party leader seeks solidarity among progressive forces

The leader of the minor opposition Democratic Labor Party (DLP) Wednesday called for all progressive forces to unite for the December presidential election as the conservative major opposition party gains popularity due to sluggish economy and security concerns.

"There is hope that if progressive forces make a united front, we can sweep to power," DLP chief Moon Sung-hyun told a news conference. "We'll surely achieve a grand solidarity of all progressive forces."
Moon said his party will ally with all those who support the DLP's major policy platforms, but shun engaging in political realignment that might tarnish its public image as a labor party.

"We'll leave our door open to those intending to go along with our stance on medical insurance, housing and education" he said. "But we'll not do something that mars our identity."
The DLP, founded in 2000, has nine incumbent lawmakers in the 296-member National Assembly. The party's popularity reached a record 21.9 percent in an opinion poll in 2004 amid hopes it would take the initiative in reforming the South Korean political community, which has long been marred by factional fighting, money politics and regionalism.
 

The DLP's approval ratings, however, have gradually withered as its lawmakers didn't put forward any impressive legislation and didn't present a significant alternative policy for dealing with chronic economic doldrums, critics said.

The labor party was further hit hard after its deputy secretary general was indicted in December on charges of pro-North Korea activities. In a recent public survey, the party's approval ratings plummeted to 4.2 percent.
 

With the presidential elections drawing closer, the progressive party has a chance to revive the public's confidence in it amid a flurry of moves to regroup the political community. Some lawmakers who defected from the left-leaning ruling Uri Party have indicated they might align with the DLP.

"Public expectation of the Uri Party has been scattered. I believe a majority of people still want progressive forces to do well, so I confirm that the DLP should meet that expectation," Moon said.
 

Since 1998, South Korea has been governed by left-leaning governments seeking detente with North Korea and a greater redistribution of wealth. Recent public surveys, however, predicted a landslide victory by the conservative opposition Grand National Party in the December election.

http://english.yna.co.kr/Engnews/20070131/610000000020070131160042E7.html

Yonhap, 1.31

Yeah, dear DLP, keep dreaming!!

Actually - in my opinion - it would be very good for the S.K. society if progressive forces would get more influence/"power"..

But the DLP??? I really don't know..

Not long time ago a S.K. left(radical^^) political activist told me following story: "In the beginning of DLP's activities the people, like the activists in KCTU, called Kwon Young-gil (THE main "leader" of DLP) the Korean T. Blair(!!). Now they call him the Korean Lula(!!!!!)" Harrharr..

In Dec. 2005 Chosun Ilbo published following - about a very interesting opinion by one of the "leading" DLP activists: