Bareun Party

The Bareun Party was a conservative political party in South Korea, announced on 27 December 2016 with the defection of 29 anti-Park Saenuri Party lawmakers. It was known as the Conservative New Party for Reform until 8 January 2017. History The party was formed amidst a faction feud in the Liberty Korea Party (then Saenuri Party) involving pro and anti-Park Geun-hye forces. The party began as a parliamentary negotiation body that split from the Saenuri Party in December 2016, and became a party in January 2017. Merger In January 2018, the party's leader, along with the People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo, announced their plans to merge the two parties, in an effort to bolster the two party's parliamentary standing ahead of local elections in June. The merger faces opposition from members of both parties, citing concerns over differences in ideology and policy, particularly over differing stances on dealing with North Korea. Nevertheless, the party approved the merger plans on 5 February 2018. The merger is expected to be finalized on February 13.