April 15 General Election Narrow Loss by 171 Votes: Nam Young-hee "Gave Up Recount... Was Short-Sighted"

"Objectively Looking Back, I Realized My Thoughts Were Short-Sighted"

Nam Young-hee, the Democratic Party candidate who ran in the Incheon Dong-gu and Michuhol electoral district and lost by 171 votes [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Nam Young-hee, the Democratic Party candidate who lost by the smallest margin of 171 votes in the April 15 general election, announced, "After careful consideration today, I have decided to forgo a recount. I am very sorry for making this decision without consulting those who placed their hopes in me until the end."

Nam, who ran in the Incheon Dong-gu·Michuhol electoral district and lost, wrote on her Facebook on the night of the 21st, "'Candidates see everything as unfair.' I think I was not free from that candidate's perspective. Upon a more objective review, I realized my thoughts were short-sighted," emphasizing that she would not pursue a recount.

Nam explained, "In the past 20 years, there has never been a case where a recount overturned a result by more than 100 votes. For a moment, I thought 'it could be overturned,' but that was due to the candidate's distorted view. When I reset my eyes and mind to their proper place, I realized my judgment was mistaken."

Nam Young-hee, the Democratic Party candidate for Incheon Dong-gu Michuhol-eul in the 21st general election, is greeting and appealing for support to citizens commuting in front of Jemulpo Station, Michuhol-gu, Incheon, on the morning of the 2nd.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

However, Nam stated, "The reason I considered a recount was not because my election was important," expressing her feelings that "I did not want to acknowledge that the core of the state power abuse faction would once again receive a parliamentary badge." She added, "Therefore, bracing myself for criticism, I will not congratulate the opposing candidate on their victory. That is my last pride."

Nam declared, "I accept the election results but do not recognize them," and vowed, "The day I take back the badge from the core faction of state power abuse will be the day I, Nam Young-hee, accomplish my primary mission."

Regarding Nam's remarks, Kim Doo-kwan, the winning candidate from Yangsan, Gyeongnam, said on Facebook, "I understand the candidate's feelings better than anyone. A margin of 171 votes is truly heartbreaking," and added, "I am really proud that such a dignified decision was made by a candidate from our party."

He continued, "I applaud Nam Young-hee's magnanimous decision and believe we must nurture such workers one by one to serve as deckhands, helmsmen, captains, and engineers in the Democratic Party's voyage for the people," and encouraged, "This is why the Democratic Party is strong and hopeful. I applaud this dignified and admirable decision."

Nam, a former deputy spokesperson for the Democratic Party, won the early voting by 3,920 votes against independent candidate Yoon Sang-hyun but ultimately lost by 171 votes when combining the results of the main vote.

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