Lee Nak-yeon, Reason for Not Smiling While Expressing Election Victory Sentiment: "Sewol Ferry 6th Anniversary"

Lee Nak-yeon, the Democratic Party candidate running for the 21st National Assembly election in Jongno, Seoul, receives a congratulatory bouquet with his wife Kim Sook-hee at the election office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 15th as his victory becomes certain. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] Lee Nak-yeon, co-chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea’s joint standing election committee, won the April 15 general election in Seoul’s Jongno district by defeating Hwang Kyo-ahn, the Future United Party candidate, but attracted attention for his calm acceptance speech.

On the 15th at around 9:35 p.m., Lee appeared at the Jongno district campaign office with his wife Kim Sook-hee and received a congratulatory bouquet. He calmly expressed his gratitude, saying, "I thank the residents of Jongno who entrusted me, despite my shortcomings, with the duties of a member of the National Assembly. I feel the heavy responsibility with my whole body."

He continued, "I pay tribute to the hard work of candidate Hwang Kyo-ahn, who did his best," and added, "I will work while considering the wishes of the people who did not support me or our party."

Regarding the Democratic Party’s landslide victory, he said, "I thank the people who gave many seats to the Democratic Party and the proportional party, the Together Citizens’ Party," and stated, "We will devote ourselves to the swift overcoming of the national crisis caused by COVID-19 (novel coronavirus infection) and economic contraction."

Lee maintained a expressionless face both when receiving the congratulatory bouquet and when delivering his remarks. Earlier, when the three terrestrial broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS announced exit polls indicating a high likelihood that the Democratic Party and its proportional party, the Together Citizens’ Party, would secure a majority of seats, he also appeared composed.

Supporters and officials gathered in the election situation room expressed their congratulations with applause only, without cheers.

Regarding this, Lee’s campaign team stated, "We must remain humble, and since April 16 is the 6th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster, we refrained from cheers and handshakes."

Also, on the 16th at around 1 a.m., at the certificate issuance ceremony held at Gyeongbok High School in Jongno, Lee told reporters about the election results, "The failure to ease regionalism remains a heavy task," adding, "That will be a challenge for us."

Regarding candidate Hwang’s resignation from the party leadership following his defeat in the general election, Lee said, "He was a person who competed with good intentions, so I feel sorry about his decision, and I hope a more rewarding path opens up for him in the future."

About his future role within the party, he said, "I have not thought about it. It is time to focus our capabilities on overcoming the national crisis," and added, "I believe the party’s wisdom will come together."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.