[Inside Chodong] Even Political Masters Struggle With a "Gracious Loss" in Elections

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] On April 21, 2002, when the Democratic Party's presidential primary was reaching its peak, the results of the Gyeonggi-do regional primary were announced at the Seongnam Indoor Gymnasium. The showdown between candidate Roh Moo-hyun, who had been gaining momentum since the Gwangju primary, and candidate Chung Dong-young, who had positioned himself as the "guardian of the primary," took place.

Many remember that Roh Moo-hyun won the 2002 Democratic Party primary, but few recall the results of the Gyeonggi-do primary, the region with the largest population in South Korea. Naturally, one would assume that candidate Roh won, but the result was quite the opposite.

Candidate Chung won first place in Gyeonggi-do with 1,426 votes (54.5%), defeating candidate Roh, who received only 1,191 votes. Considering that candidate Roh's support base was the Seoul metropolitan area, this was an unexpected outcome. The perception that candidate Chung deserved recognition for practicing "putting the party before oneself" during the crisis of the primary's disruption spread, leading to this surprising election result. What candidate Chung demonstrated is a textbook example of a "gracious loss."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Although candidate Chung did not win the 2002 presidential primary, he gained political capital. During the participatory government era, he solidified his position as the largest shareholder of the ruling party and laid the groundwork for his victory in the 2007 presidential primary.

A similar scene occurred in the 2007 presidential election. On August 20, 2007, at the Seoul Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium, the results of the most fiercely contested Hannara Party primary in Korean political history were announced. At that time, the equation "Hannara Party presidential candidate selection = likely presidential election winner" was established.

Many remember that candidate Lee Myung-bak won the Hannara Party primary, but few recall who ranked first in the "electoral college vote" consisting of party members, delegates, and the public. Candidate Lee received 64,216 votes (49.06%) in the electoral college vote, while candidate Park Geun-hye received 64,648 votes (49.39%).

Excluding opinion polls, candidate Park actually led in the actual voting. Candidate Lee ultimately became the winner by showing superiority in the opinion poll primary. Although it was a disappointing situation for candidate Park, she accepted her defeat gracefully. Her concession left a deep impression on voters. Perhaps because it instilled a sense of indebtedness to the public, politician Park Geun-hye was elected President of South Korea in the 2012 presidential election.

Even heavyweight politicians, known as political masters, find it difficult to choose a "gracious loss" when participating in primaries. When running the primary race focusing only on moving forward, it is hard to look back.

The problem is that if one becomes obsessed with victory-at-all-costs, it is difficult to fully demonstrate one's capabilities in the primary. Several ruling and opposition presidential candidates have not been able to show 100% of their political abilities. If the primary ends this way, it will be regrettable both for the candidates themselves and for Korean society. Why are the skills honed as national leaders not being demonstrated in the primary?

Looking back on the primary process, one might find themselves deviating from the "normal trajectory." If they can return to their original path that meets the expectations of the people, this primary will become another political asset. Even if not selected as the presidential candidate, it means political opportunities can open up.

Politicians who have caused regret to the people will one day be called upon by the people again.