Anguiryeongdo and Lee Sujeong "Grateful but Insufficient"... Short but Long-lasting Impression 'Farewell Speech After Election Defeat'

Narrow Defeat or Controversy Brings Regret
Winning Greetings and Different Losing Messages, Short but Lasting Impression
With Outcome Decided, Reflecting on Own Shortcomings
Expressing Gratitude to Residents, Promising to Try Again Next Time

(From left) Democratic Party candidates An Gwiyeong and Gong Yeongun, and People Power Party candidates Lee Sujeong and Oh Sinhwan.
[Photo by An Gwiyeong Blog, Yonhap News Agency]

"I will engrave the sternness of the people and the severity of public sentiment into my bones."

On the 11th, Ahn Gwi-ryeong, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate who lost in the Seoul Dobong-gap district in the April 10 general election, posted this concession message on her social media (SNS), saying, "I will never forget the overwhelming support from the residents of Dobong-gu. I will visit and greet you more often in the future." Ahn, a former YTN anchor, was strategically nominated for Dobong-gap in this election, but became embroiled in controversy after appearing on a YouTube broadcast and answering "Lee Jae-myung" when asked about the appearance of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, and actor Cha Eun-woo. She also faced criticism for failing to correctly name the administrative neighborhood when asked by local residents. With Ahn's defeat, the Democratic Party has lost Dobong-gap, which it had held for over 30 years, to a conservative party.

Gong Young-woon, the Democratic Party candidate who ran in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi Province but lost to Lee Jun-seok of the Reform New Party, also posted on his SNS on the 11th, saying, "I humbly accept the results." He expressed regret, saying, "I am sorry for not being able to repay the Dongtan family and party comrades who trusted and supported me," and added, "My sincerity for Dongtan will not change." On the day before the election (the 10th), exit polls released by the three major broadcasters (KBS, MBC, SBS) predicted Gong's victory over Lee, but as the counting progressed, Lee was elected with 42.41% (51,856 votes), surpassing Gong's 39.73% (48,578 votes).

Ahn Gwi-ryeong: "I will never forget the overwhelming support"... Gong Young-woon: "My sincerity will not change"

Previously, Gong, who had a background as a reporter for Munhwa Ilbo and as president of Hyundai Motor Company, entered politics as a recruited talent for the Democratic Party in this general election and received a strategic nomination. However, controversy arose when it was revealed that he gifted a Seongsu-dong house worth about 3 billion won to his son during his military service in 2017, sparking a 'dad's chance' scandal, which appears to have influenced voters in the final stages.

After an election, winners give victory greetings, and losers give concession messages. Victory greetings express gratitude for votes and support and a commitment to do their best for the region and the country in the National Assembly. On the other hand, concession messages inevitably leave a lot of lingering feelings. No matter how close the margin, a loss is a loss, and accepting defeat due to a narrow margin or unexpected controversies weighs heavily on the heart. However, since it promises a future attempt, concession messages are as important as victory greetings for both the individual and the voters.

Lee Soo-jung: "I was able to fight without feeling lonely"

Lee Soo-jung, the People Power Party candidate who lost in Suwon-jeong, Gyeonggi Province, also expressed on SNS, "Thank you all for your support. Thanks to your encouragement, I was able to fight without feeling lonely," and reflected, "Although I lost, I will still be at Gyeonggi University’s research lab, so I am with you all. It was a battle between David and Goliath." She added, "I failed this time, but I learned a lot," and "Though I personally lost due to my shortcomings, the will of those who desire a just world remains alive." In Suwon-jeong, Kim Jun-hyuk of the Democratic Party won with 50.86% (69,881 votes), defeating Lee, who received 49.13% (67,504 votes), by a margin of 2,377 votes.

Mixed fortunes in battlegrounds... Kim Geun-sik: "I did my best, so no regrets"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is campaigning in support of candidate Ryu Sam-young at the entrance of Namseong Sagye Market in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, on the 8th.
[Photo by Kim Hyun-min, Asia Economy]

Ryu Sam-young, the Democratic Party candidate who lost in Dongjak-eul, Seoul, also conveyed a concession message, saying, "I humbly accept the will of the residents of Dongjak-gu." In Dongjak-eul, Na Kyung-won of the People Power Party won with 54.01%, reclaiming the district from Ryu, who received 45.98%. Ryu apologized, saying, "I am sorry for not being able to repay your support," and added, "Everything is because of my shortcomings. I will never forget the overwhelming support from the residents of Dongjak-gu." He also said, "It is said that where one road ends, a new road begins," and "I will regain strength and move forward. I will be with you in Dongjak."

Ryu Sam-young: "Everything is because of my shortcomings"... Oh Shin-hwan: "Sorry for not meeting expectations"

Oh Shin-hwan, the People Power Party candidate and former Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs of Seoul, lost a fierce battle against Go Min-jung of the Democratic Party in Gwangjin-eul, Seoul, a key battleground for both parties. The vote shares were 47.6% (49,347 votes) for Oh and 51.47% (53,362 votes) for Go. Oh played a key role in the 2022 local election campaign for Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and attempted to avenge the mayor’s defeat to Go in Gwangjin-eul but was unsuccessful. Oh expressed gratitude, saying, "I sincerely thank everyone who supported me," and apologized, "I was lacking and sorry for not meeting expectations." He added, "I will engrave the encouragement, support, and love I received in my heart and never forget them."

In Seoul Songpa-byeong, another major battleground, Democratic Party candidate Nam In-soon was re-elected for a fourth term with 51.04% of the vote. Kim Geun-sik of the People Power Party lost with 48.95%. Kim said, "I did my best, so I have no regrets," and bowed his head, saying, "I am speechless. Thank you and I am sorry." Kim was nominated as a proportional representative candidate for the Unified Democratic Party in 2008 but declined and did not run. He later ran as a Democratic Party candidate in a by-election but lost, and in 2012 applied for a proportional representative spot with the Democratic United Party but was not nominated. Since 2017, he shifted his political stance to the conservative side and continued running for office.

22nd General Election, Overwhelming Victory for the Democratic Party of Korea... Han Dong-hoon: "I take full responsibility" and resigns

Han Nong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, expressing his position on the general election defeat.
[Photo by Jo Yong-jun, Asia Economy]

Meanwhile, in the 22nd general election, the Democratic Party of Korea achieved an overwhelming victory. The People Power Party barely surpassed the constitutional amendment blocking line (100 seats), securing only 108 seats. In response, Han Dong-hoon, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, announced his resignation, saying, "I take full responsibility for the election results and will step down from the emergency committee chairman position." With Han’s resignation, the People Power Party, which was already under an emergency committee system, will form another emergency committee.