Free Democrats (Haesan)
Free Democratic Party 자유민주당 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | FDP (FD) |
| Leader | Kim I-seul |
| Leader in the Chamber of the Commonwealth | Peter Kang |
| Leader in the Chamber of Deputies | Jeong Da-in |
| Founded | August 12, 1989 |
| Preceded by | Haesanite National Party |
| Headquarters | Suyang, Haesan |
| Think tank | Council on Haesanite Economic Strategy |
| Membership (2023) | 3,950,577 |
| Ideology | Free market capitalism, neo-liberalism |
| Political position | Center to center-left [a] |
| Colors | Yellow |
| Chamber of the Commonwealth | 36 / 100
|
| General Assembly | 59 / 400
|
| Provincial Governors & Mayors | 11 / 25
|
| Website | |
| freedems.hn | |
The Free Democratic Party (Haean: 자유민주당), more commonly referred to as the Free Democrats, is a Haesanite political party focused on economic growth and national development. The Free Democrats have been the most powerful political party in Haesan throughout much of the 21st century, and are the party of the current President of Haesan, Kim I-seul. The Free Democrats are the largest party in the Chamber of the Commonwealth and the largest opposition party in the Chamber of Deputies.
History[edit | edit source]
The party was formed in 1989 by a group of former leaders of the Haesanite National Party, who sought to further democratic norms in Haesan through ensuring freedom of commerce and ideas. The party maintained a minor presence in the National Assembly, but gained power in 2005 in a snap election called after the Monetary Crisis of 2004. Led by a former economics professor, Choi Da-yeon, the Free Dems promised to restore the economy and increase growth in Haesan. Their success in delivering on those two key points led to FDP dominance during the 2010s, with Choi elected to four consecutive terms as Prime Minister.
Currently, the party remains a significant political force in Haesan, but not on the same level it once was. The party remains weakened by charges of corruption against its former leaders, most prominently Choi Da-yeon in the Seollim Bribery Scandal, but also former presidents Kim Seung-jin and Lee Seon-u. The decision by Kim I-seul to not pardon Choi caused a major rift within the party which has not yet fully healed, and rumours persist that the party will split.
Policies[edit | edit source]
The Free Democrats' main priority is economic growth. They favor maintaining favorable conditions for foreign investment, and tend to oppose a minimum wage, unionization, and nationalization of industry. This policy has led the Free Democrats to favor general neutrality in foreign affairs as to preserve a free flow of trade. They are divided over industrial policy, with more ordoliberal members in opposition and most pro-Kim members in favor.
The Free Democrats tend to be quite liberal on social issues.
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ This classification is disputed by scholars. Many foreign observers classify the Free Dems as a center-right to right wing party due to its pro-growth policies, but domestically it is more often considered to be left of center due to its often progressive stances on non-labor related social issues.