The ruling Grand National Party has decided to change its name 14 years after it was founded in November 1997 amid growing disaffection with traditional politics. An emergency committee the GNP formed after its defeat in the Seoul mayoral by-election last fall on Thursday decided on the name change.

The party will gather suggestions for its new name from the public between Friday and Sunday and, following a review by experts, select one on Monday. It also wants to change its logo and trademark blue color.

"Right now, the very name of the Grand National Party is seen as a target of reform," a key party official said. "Many party members feel the need to change the name as soon as possible, and there is a consensus that it should reflect the changed needs of people in their 20s to 40s."

But another GNP official said, "We're worried that merely changing the name without any concrete reforms could cause the GNP's genuine yearning for change to be viewed simply as a political ruse."