"Sorry I Couldn't Vote for You"... 1.3 Billion Won in Donations Flood to Kwon Youngguk After Election

Democratic Labor Party: "32,427 Donation Transactions... We Are Grateful"
"Hope to See You in the Next Presidential Election"... A Flood of Supportive Posts on Social Media

"Sorry I couldn't vote for you", "I voted for candidate number one but supported you"

A wave of support continues for Kwon Youngguk, the Democratic Labor Party's presidential candidate who received 0.98% of the vote in the 21st presidential election. It has been confirmed that approximately 1.3 billion won in donations were collected from 8 p.m. on the evening of the 3rd, immediately after the main vote, until the morning of the 4th. Although many voters did not choose Kwon due to the desire to avoid a wasted vote, it appears that citizens who resonated with his political message are expressing their support and solidarity through donations.

According to the Democratic Labor Party on the 4th, donations received in Kwon's campaign account from 8 p.m. the previous evening until the morning of the 4th amounted to about 1.3 billion won. The Democratic Labor Party stated, "We have confirmed 32,427 separate donation transactions," and added, "This amount is similar to what was collected immediately after Sim Sangjung's defeat in the previous presidential election. We are truly grateful."

Kwon Youngguk, presidential candidate of the Social Great Transition Presidential Alliance and leader of the Justice Party, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at an office in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 2nd.

Immediately after the election, social networking services (SNS) were filled with posts certifying donations to Kwon and messages of encouragement. One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, "Sorry I couldn't vote for you. I had no choice but to vote for Lee Jaemyung this time for the sake of settling the insurrection. I hope to see you run again as a presidential candidate next time. I made a small donation."

Another user wrote, "I voted for candidate number one, but I supported you, Kwon. Please run again in the next presidential election." Other comments included, "I was moved by Kwon's words about fighting for marginalized people such as workers and sexual minorities," "He was the only presidential candidate who took a clear stance on the anti-discrimination law," and "To be honest, I really wanted to vote for Kwon."

The background behind the surge of donations to Kwon after the election is interpreted as follows: In this election, which carried a judgmental character regarding the 12·3 insurrection, some voters were unable to vote for him due to the limitations of realistic choice, but are now expressing their support through donations and wishing to encourage his future political activities. The Democratic Labor Party explained, "Kwon actively called out to the socially disadvantaged and minorities whom major party candidates did not mention. This kind of campaign moved the hearts of citizens, leading to an unprecedented level of donations."

Kwon began his official campaign by visiting high-rise crane workers. On the day of the vote, the 3rd, he visited the memorial altar of Kim Chunghyun, a worker who died during operations at the Taean Thermal Power Plant in South Chungcheong Province. Despite being a member of a minor progressive party outside the National Assembly, Kwon is being recognized for leaving a powerful impression through his clear and consistent message. In fact, after the first TV debate, there was a flood of donations and membership applications to Kwon and the Democratic Labor Party.

After the exit polls by the three major broadcasters were released, Kwon posted on Facebook, "I will walk together with those who have been excluded, lives that are being pushed out, identities that cannot be called, and those who are poor and suffering. I will never betray the hearts you have sent me. I understand well the pain and meaning of those excluded and marginalized, who had no one to rely on except a candidate with just over 1% support. I will gather these hearts and start again." Addressing President Lee Jaemyung, he said, "Please fulfill the demands of the citizens in the square for the liquidation of the forces behind the insurrection and for a great social transformation. Along with economic recovery, do not neglect the issue of resolving inequality." He concluded, "I also hope that you will not overlook the hearts gathered for me from workers, farmers, women, people with disabilities, sexual minorities, migrants, and those seeking climate justice."