S. Korean ruling party changes name to 'Saenuri'

SEOUL, Feb. 2 (Yonhap) -- The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) on Thursday unveiled its new name, in a symbolic move to shed its old, tarnished image before the general elections in April. The party's emergency council said the GNP will be newly named "Saenuri," which means new world in Korean. The name change will be officially confirmed in a national party meeting slated for Feb. 13, officials said, adding the official English version of the Korean name will be decided later. It is the first time in nearly 15 years the conservative party has changed its title. The current name of GNP was created in 1997 after a merger with a minor opposition party. The GNP is the longest used party name in South Korea where political parties are frequently formed and dissolved before election seasons to appeal to voters with fresh images. The move comes after Rep. Park Geun-hye, the party's interim leader, earlier this month suggested a name change to overhaul the image of the ruling party, a compromise on the reform-minded lawmakers' demand to disband and form a new party amid fast-dwindling approval ratings. (END)