Democratic Party Cheers Loudly... People Power Party Plunges into Panic

Lee Jae-myung "Not the Democratic Party's Victory but the People's Victory"
Calls for Accountability over Emergency Committee's Defeat Raised Inside and Outside the Ruling Party
Jogukdang "Will Properly Play the Role of a Hammer"

The Democratic Party of Korea celebrated as it far exceeded its target of an 'absolute majority,' while the People Power Party fell into 'panic.' On the morning of the 11th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the Central Election Countermeasures Committee disbandment ceremony held at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, "Even after the election, we must always listen humbly and attentively to the voices of the sovereign people." He emphasized, "The election result is not a victory for the Democratic Party, but a great victory for the people."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Justice Innovation Party, which has positioned itself as the 'icebreaker' for the Democratic Party, also showed joy as if it were their own victory. When exit poll results predicting a landslide victory for the Democratic Party were announced, cheers and applause erupted in the Justice Innovation Party's vote counting room. Furthermore, as the Justice Innovation Party secured more than 10 proportional representation seats, solidifying its status as the 'third-largest party in the National Assembly,' all party officials left the situation room with light steps around 10 p.m., relatively early.

Ruling Party Faces 'Emergency Committee Responsibility'... Opposition Says "Judgment on Yoon Suk-yeol Administration"

People Power Party's Han Dong-hoon, Chief General Election Committee Chair, and others are watching the exit poll results at the 22nd National Assembly election counting situation room set up at the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul on the 10th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Within the People Power Party, a 'responsibility theory' regarding the emergency committee is being raised over the general election results. Kim Kyung-yul, an emergency committee member, said to reporters immediately after the exit poll announcement the day before, "It feels premature, but in any case, (Chairman Han Dong-hoon) must take responsibility," adding, "I am not free from responsibility either." Regarding the 'mass resignation of emergency committee members,' he said, "On the one hand, it could be irresponsible," but "If resignation is the most realistic option, we should resign at any time."

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo wrote on his Facebook that day, "Let us humbly accept this historic defeat and swiftly organize those responsible within the party and government." He also encouraged, "Tomorrow, the sun will rise again. Former President Kim Dae-jung once achieved a regime change with 79 seats," and added, "It is fortunate that many senior party members were elected to lead the party, so let us not scatter but unite and rise again."

The opposition is preparing to intensify pressure on the government and ruling party. When asked for an overall evaluation of the general election results, Kim Boo-kyum, co-chairman of the joint election committee, said, "The internal party opinion polls showed a steady upward trend throughout the election period," and "Wherever I went nationwide, I sensed the public's mood to 'give a stern lesson,' so honestly, I felt somewhat relieved in the end."

Shin Jang-sik, chief spokesperson of the Justice Innovation Party, said, "Since we have been given 12 ships, we will properly fulfill the role of the hammer formation in the crane wing formation to meet the people's expectations." The Justice Innovation Party secured 12 proportional representation seats, claiming the position of the third-largest party in the National Assembly.