S. Korea’s Park supporters launch new Saenuri Party

Seoul, April 5 (IANS) Supporters of impeached South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Wednesday launched a new Saenuri Party, pledging to revive a bona fide conservative movement that would vindicate the former leader.

The preparatory committee for the establishment of the Saenuri Party held an inaugural ceremony here and appointed two representatives of a civic group as the co-chiefs, Yonhap news agency reported.

The former ruling Saenuri Party recently changed its name to the Liberty Korea Party. The word Saenuri was adopted by Park when she was the party chief in early 2012.

"The Liberty Korea Party and the Saenuri Party will compete for a free democracy as they are from the same roots," Representative Kim Jin-tae from the former ruling party said in a congratulatory message.

The Park loyalists, mostly elderly voters in their 60s or older, have held rallies against the impeachment and arrest of the former leader.

They have demanded the nullification of the impeachment and the release of Park after the constitutional court's March 10 rule.

Park was taken into custody for 13 charges including bribery, abuse of power and the disclosure of confidential information.

During the ceremony, Park supporters waved national flags and the Stars and Stripes together as seen in the past demonstrations hosted by rightist civic groups.

According to Xinhua news agency, the party members said they decided to enter the political mainstream as their protest rallies were of no use. They planned to make efforts to get the former President released.

The party has no lawmaker now. Even pro-Park lawmakers are affiliated with the Liberty Korea Party.