[Summary] "Beyond Refereeing to 'Punishment'... The Ruling Party Must Reflect on Public Sentiment" Unified Voice of Self-Reflection After By-Election Defeat

Former Party Leader Lee Nak-yeon "Will Take Time for Reflection"
Resigns from Ruling Party Leadership Taking Responsibility for Election Defeat
"Deep Regret" Calls for Reform Even Within the Party

Kim Tae-nyeon, Acting Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is announcing the total resignation of the Supreme Council members and the leadership on the 8th at the National Assembly, taking responsibility for the crushing defeat in the April 7 by-elections. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] The Democratic Party of Korea, which suffered a crushing defeat in the April 7 Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections, apologized to the public, saying it would "reflect on public sentiment." Voices of self-reflection emerged, acknowledging that they had not listened to the people's anger and disappointment.

Lee Nak-yeon, former party leader and standing election committee chairman of the Democratic Party, wrote on his Facebook on the 8th, "We will take time for introspection," and stated, "We take the decision of the respected citizens seriously. We will humbly accept the public sentiment expressed through the by-elections."

He continued, "We were lacking. We failed to properly gauge the people's disappointment and anger, and did not sufficiently consider the hardships in their lives," adding, "The responsibility is mine. As the first Prime Minister of the Moon Jae-in administration, leader of the Democratic Party, and election committee chairman, I was insufficient. I apologize to all, including party members and supporters."

The Democratic Party leadership also announced their collective resignation on the same day, taking responsibility for the election defeat. Kim Tae-nyeon, acting party leader of the Democratic Party, said at a press conference, "The Democratic Party humbly accepts the public sentiment revealed in this election," and "The leadership will resign entirely, taking responsibility for the election results."

He emphasized, "Through this election, the people have given the Democratic Party many tasks," and "We will thoroughly reflect and innovate."

Former Party Leader Lee Nak-yeon, who served as the Standing Election Committee Chair of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party candidate who ran in the Seoul mayoral by-election, also acknowledged defeat on her Facebook on the previous day (7th), saying, "I deeply thank you for your support," and "I will take time for deep reflection."

She added, "We sincerely prepared for a new spring for ten million citizens, but that spring has passed," and "I will accept all the citizens' reprimands."

Within the party, voices calling for reflection and reform also emerged.

Ahn Min-seok, a five-term senior member of the Democratic Party, wrote on his Facebook the same day, "A great crisis has come. It was a 'punitive vote' beyond political judgment," and emphasized, "The fundamental cause is that we failed to uphold the spirit of the Candlelight Square protests. We must look at ourselves and reflect deeply first."

Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party of Korea's Seoul mayoral candidate, who was predicted to suffer a crushing defeat in the exit polls of the three major broadcasters, is leaving the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, with a stern expression after addressing the press on the night of the 7th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Park Yong-jin, also from the same party, said in a CBS radio interview on the same day, "I hope the strong reprimand from the public will be medicine, and we will work hard within the party to make that happen," adding, "The public clearly sees through hollow apologies and superficial innovation. The atmosphere of public judgment is so severe that it cannot be overcome with a few words of reflection and apology."

He continued, "Throughout the election period, I felt the fear of public sentiment with my whole body. Forget everything else; it felt like we had to keep our mouths shut and roll up our sleeves," and added, "Even during the election campaign, we seemed not to understand why this was happening."

Meanwhile, according to the National Election Commission on the 7th, in the Seoul mayoral by-election held that day, Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party won with 57.5% of the vote, while Park Young-sun received 39.18%, resulting in a decisive victory for Oh.

In Busan, Park Hyung-joon of the People Power Party won with 62.67% of the vote, defeating Kim Young-choon of the Democratic Party, who received 34.42%.