Which political parties were major forces in South Korea in the early 21st century?

In the early 21st century, South Korean politics were primarily defined by a competitive struggle between conservative and liberal political forces.

Major Political Forces

• Conservative Bloc: The conservative movement was dominated for much of this period by the Grand National Party (GNP), which was formed in 1997. The party underwent several name changes to navigate political challenges and voter dissatisfaction, becoming the Saenuri Party in 2012 and later the Liberty Korea Party in 2017. This bloc generally advocated for fiscal responsibility, a market-based economy, and a cautious approach toward North Korea.1

• Liberal Bloc: The liberal movement underwent various reorganizations and mergers throughout the early 2000s. Key iterations included the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP), the Uri Party, the United New Democratic Party (UNDP), and the Democratic United Party (DUP). These groups eventually coalesced into the Democratic Party of Korea (DP). This bloc typically emphasized human rights, improved relations with North Korea, and progressive economic policies.12

These two camps frequently traded power, with the conservative bloc securing significant victories in the 2007 and 2012 presidential elections, while the liberal bloc returned to the presidency in 2017.12