SEOUL – South Korea’s ruling party is to change its name for the second time in five years, it said Monday, as it seeks to dissociate itself from the corruption scandal surrounding impeached President Park Geun-hye.
“We will begin collecting public suggestions starting today and change the party name as soon as possible,” said party chairman In Myung-jin.
The ruling Saenuri Party was formed from a merger of several center-right parties in 1997 and known as the Grand National Party until 2012.
Park changed its name as part of an attempt to reform and regain voter support ahead of that year’s general elections, which it won.
Its various components and their predecessors ruled South Korea for decades during the country’s dictatorship and afterward.
