Summary of Remarks That Became a Hot Topic During the General Election Period
"I hate losing an election more than dying."
Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, who ran in Hwaseong-si Eul, Gyeonggi Province in this general election, reportedly said this as he decided to conduct a 48-hour non-stop campaign without sleep during the last two days of the election. Cheon Ha-ram, the general election committee chairman of the Reform New Party, appeared on BBS Radio and said that when he expressed concern asking, "(Isn't it) dangerous to push yourself like this?" Lee responded with these words.
For election candidates who have run with their eyes set solely on winning a seat in the National Assembly, who wouldn't have felt this way? We looked back on this election through notable quotes that drew attention during the candidate registration, nomination, and campaign periods.
Nomination is a fearful moment for politicians. Ahead of nominations, some politicians left their parties, while others declared they would not run.
"Our party's destination is not the president's embrace." (January 12, Kim Woong, People Power Party lawmaker, announcing his withdrawal from the general election)
Kim Woong said, "I question whether the current People Power Party is a democratic party," adding, "My answer is no. Therefore, I cannot ask the public for votes." He opposed the party's policy that made giving up on the arrest consent bill a basic condition for candidacy, stating, "I will not participate in mocking constitutional systems because of nomination rights."
There was significant discord in the opposition party ahead of nominations.
"The spirit, values, and dignity of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, which the Democratic Party once boasted, have disappeared." (January 11, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the New Future Party, announcing his departure from the Democratic Party)
Lee Nak-yeon declared, "I will leave the Democratic Party, where I have been for 24 years, and embark on a new path to serve Korea in a new position and with a new approach." He left the Democratic Party, calling it a one-person party and a bulletproof party, and founded the new party 'New Future,' running in Gwangsan-gu Eul, Gwangju.
"Finally, the time to rise is approaching." (March 3, Hong Young-pyo, New Future candidate, announcing the news of being cut off by the Democratic Party and expressing his intention to make a decision soon)
Following the shock of cutoffs, defections from the Democratic Party continued. Hong Young-pyo, who had served as the floor leader of the Democratic Party, moved to the New Future Party.
"What kind of Democratic Party is that? It should be renamed 'Jae-myeong Party' after leader Lee Jae-myung." (February 29, Han Dong-hoon, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party)
As the Democratic Party's nomination controversy erupted, the People Power Party celebrated. Although criticized for recycling incumbents, the People Power Party conducted a relatively quiet nomination process without major controversies. With the Democratic Party's division growing, the election seemed to tilt toward the ruling party. However, the emergence of the Jo Guk Innovation Party and former presidential secretary Im Jong-seok's acceptance of cutoff decisions changed the atmosphere.
"I accept the party's decision." (March 4, Im Jong-seok, former presidential secretary)
"I believe Jo Guk has been fatefully given the mission to end the Yoon Seok-yeol prosecution dictatorship as soon as possible with a spirit of taking responsibility." (March 3, Jo Guk, leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party)
Jo Guk, who said he had been trapped in an endless hell for the past five years and had to endure his entire family being slaughtered, quickly stirred a political storm. He ignited the regime judgment theory, prominently promoting the term ‘Ji-Min-Bi-Jo’ (Democratic Party for constituency, Jo Guk Innovation Party for proportional representation). Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Seong-hwan downplayed this, saying, "Our people already see that Jo Guk's river has been crossed." Especially as controversies arose over former ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-seop's escape allegations and former presidential office civil society chief Hwang Sang-moo's verbal misconduct, the election campaign seemed to gain momentum on the regime judgment theory.
As controversies over statements by candidates within the party surfaced, Han Dong-hoon gradually began to appeal emotionally.
Handonghun, the General Election Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is answering questions from reporters after casting his vote at the early voting station in Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the first day of early voting for the 22nd National Assembly election on the 5th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@
"If you want me to continue in politics after April, please vote for the People Power Party." (March 14),
"I will die standing even if I die in 22 days." (March 19, Han Dong-hoon, emergency committee chairman)
One interesting point in the election was that Lee Jae-myung ignored Han Dong-hoon and continued his attacks on President Yoon Seok-yeol. Despite being ignored, Han Dong-hoon directly targeted Lee Jae-myung.
"President Yoon Seok-yeol seems to want to become a king." (March 17),
"If a servant does not work and looks down on and despises the master, he must be punished and held accountable." (March 15, Lee Jae-myung, Democratic Party leader)
Especially, livelihood issues emerged as the core agenda of the election. The most decisive triggers were the prices of fruits like apples and green onions. President Yoon Seok-yeol's remarks about green onions became particularly controversial.
"875 won per bunch seems like a reasonable price." (March 18, President Yoon Seok-yeol)
With growing dissatisfaction over inflation, the price mentioned by President Yoon was revealed to be a flash sale price, which sparked backlash. The opposition party did not miss this opportunity.
"The Yoon Seok-yeol administration will collapse not because of left or right politics, but because of green onions." (March 24, Jo Guk, leader)
"Blocking the knife, blocking the mouth is not enough; now we need to block the green onions too." (April 6, Lee Jae-myung, leader)
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is campaigning in support of candidate Kwak Sang-eon, who is running in Jongno-gu, in front of Dongmyo Station of the Seoul subway on the 8th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
However, toward the end of the election, issues such as Democratic Party candidate Yang Moon-seok from Ansan-si Gap's loan controversy and Kim Jun-hyuk from Suwon-si Jeong's verbal misconduct controversy surfaced. As the number of competitive districts increased and the election outcome became unpredictable, both sides adopted desperate appeals in the final stages.
"The economy has collapsed, and people's livelihoods are ruined." (Lee Jae-myung, April 9)
"They talk about having 200 seats, but terrifying things could happen and the country could collapse." (Han Dong-hoon, April 9)
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