Loud Cheers Erupt in Democratic Party Situation Room
Lawmakers Congratulate Each Other as Lee Jae-myung Leads Exit Polls
Celebrations Continue Amid Projected Wins in Key Regions
Lee Jae-myung Monitors Results from Home, Plans to Address Supporters
"Wow~"
Around 8 p.m. on June 3, as the exit poll results from the three major terrestrial broadcasters were announced in the main conference hall of the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, where the Democratic Party's presidential election vote counting situation room was set up, a loud cheer and applause erupted.
Yoon Yeojoon, Park Chandae, the Democratic Party's standing general election committee chairpersons, along with election committee officials, are cheering on the 3rd at the National Assembly Members' Office Building's vote counting situation room as the ground exit poll results for the 21st presidential election announced that candidate Lee Jae-myung is leading with 51.7%. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Upon hearing the exit poll results showing Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung leading with an expected vote share of 51.7%, Democratic Party election committee officials and party members present in the situation room shook hands and encouraged each other.
Park Chandae, the Democratic Party's standing chief election committee chairperson, embraced Kim Minseok, the other standing chief election committee chairperson, as they exchanged greetings. They also patted each other on the back.
Some lawmakers chanted "Lee Jae-myung," while others, moved to tears, offered words of encouragement such as "Good job" and "You worked hard."
In particular, as Lee's expected vote share in Daejeon?a region considered a barometer of public sentiment and known as a "swing voter" area?reached 51.8%, the cheers in the room grew even louder. In Sejong and Chungnam, as well as Chungbuk, Lee was projected to receive 51.3% and 51.1% of the votes, respectively. Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party candidate, was expected to receive 38.3% in Daejeon, 39.7% in Sejong and Chungnam, and 40.2% in Chungbuk.
In Gyeongnam, a traditional conservative stronghold, Lee was slightly behind with 43.4%, compared to Kim's 48.8%. Nevertheless, Democratic Party lawmakers smiled and comforted each other, saying, "We held up well."
Also present at the scene were Heo Euna, former leader of the Reform Party, Kim Sunmin, acting leader of the National Innovation Party, along with Innovation Party lawmakers, Yong Hyein, floor leader of the Basic Income Party, Kim Jaeyeon, standing leader of the Progressive Party, and Han Changmin, leader of the Social Democratic Party, among others.
With victory virtually assured unless there was a significant margin of error in the exit polls, lawmakers enjoyed about ten minutes of celebration before gradually leaving the venue early.
Meanwhile, Lee Jae-myung was reportedly staying at his home in Gyeyang, Incheon, monitoring the vote count. He is expected to make an appearance in Yeouido, Seoul, once the outcome becomes clear. Earlier in the day, he encouraged voting on social media, saying, "This is the golden time to save the Republic of Korea through voting."
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