'Miraculous Comeback' Lee Jun-seok Wins Hwaseong... Enters National Assembly After 4 Attempts

Lee Jun-seok "Ruling Party Faces Stern Judgment from Public Sentiment"

Candidate Lee Jun-seok of the Reform New Party, running for Hwaseong-si in the 22nd National Assembly election, is watching the vote count broadcast at the election office in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do on the afternoon of the 10th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, succeeded in entering the National Assembly on his fourth attempt. By securing a dramatic victory in a region dominated by the Democratic Party, he is expected to significantly enhance his political presence.

As of 1:50 a.m. on the 11th, with 71.79% of the votes counted in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Lee secured 43.50% (38,217 votes), making his election all but certain.

The second-place candidate, Gong Young-woon of the Democratic Party, recorded 39.57% (34,771 votes).

In his victory speech at Dongtan Yeoul Park in Hwaseong City, Lee expressed, "I sincerely thank the residents of Dongtan who have bestowed upon me the honor of being elected as a member of the National Assembly."

He added, "I apologize that other Reform New Party candidates across the country could not share in the joy of victory. However, I hope there will be a better path of glory ahead for us, and we will become a Reform New Party that shows a better image."

He continued, "Looking at the election results, I believe the ruling party has truly received a stern judgment from the public. I hope President Yoon reflects deeply on why the party leader who led a landslide victory in the most recent nationwide election had no choice but to switch parties and run."

Earlier, a joint exit poll by the three major terrestrial broadcasters at 6 p.m. predicted that candidate Gong would receive 43.7% of the vote, while Lee would get 40.5%.

However, as the vote counting began and Lee rose to first place, cheers erupted in the vote counting situation room.

This is Lee’s first time entering the National Assembly.

He entered politics in 2011 after being selected by former President Park Geun-hye and ran in the 2016 20th general election, the 2018 by-election, and the 2020 21st general election, but was defeated each time.

Since Lee was elected in Hwaseong, where the Democratic Party has a strong presence, his political standing is expected to grow even more. Although he trailed candidate Gong in polls, he rapidly closed the gap at the end and achieved a comeback victory.