[Report] "That gentleman speaks well" Lee Nak-yeon, did he surpass Hwang Kyo-ahn even in speech?

Citizens Met Around Jongno: "Lee Nak-yeon and Hwang Kyo-ahn Speak Differently"
"I Wish Lee Nak-yeon Worked as Well as He Speaks"
"Hwang Kyo-ahn Just Sounds Like a Civil Servant" Regret

On the afternoon of the 24th, in front of a crosswalk in Jongno-gu, Seoul, a congratulatory banner for Lee Nak-yeon, the elected member of the 21st general election who won against former United Future Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn, was hung. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "First of all, he seems to be very good at speaking. I hope he does well in his work going forward."

On the afternoon of the 24th, citizens met around the Jongno area in Seoul spoke like this about Lee Nak-yeon, the elected member of the Democratic Party of Korea in the April 15 general election. Mr. A, a man in his 70s whom we met near a gukbap (soup with rice) restaurant close to Nakwon Arcade, said, "He spoke better than Hwang Kyo-ahn," adding, "He is someone who has been a member of the National Assembly, a governor, and even a prime minister, so I think that's why."

According to the Central Election Management Committee on the 16th, in the 21st general election, Lee won 58.3% of the votes in Jongno, defeating former United Future Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn, who received 39.9%, by 18.4 percentage points and a margin of 17,308 votes.

Jongno is a place that has produced former presidents such as Yun Bo-seon, Roh Moo-hyun, and Lee Myung-bak. In this election, Jongno was an early focus as a showdown between former prime ministers and a contest between potential future presidential candidates. Because of this, it was described as a "preliminary presidential election" or a "mini presidential election."

Reflecting this interest and enthusiasm, the final voter turnout in Jongno was 70.6%. This exceeded the overall turnout of 66.2% and the Seoul average turnout of 68.1%.

Immediately after winning, he expressed his thoughts: "I thank the residents of Jongno who entrusted me, despite my shortcomings, with the duties of a member of the National Assembly. I will sincerely carry out the duties of the Jongno district member of the National Assembly. I pay my respects to the hard work of candidate Hwang Kyo-ahn and his wife, who did their best. I will also work while considering the will of the people who do not support me or my party."

Some have evaluated that not making aggressive remarks toward former leader Hwang during the election process was a good choice.

In the general election held on April 15, Lee Nak-yeon, the elected candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, defeated Hwang Kyo-ahn, former leader of the United Future Party, in Jongno, Seoul, which was called a "mini presidential election." [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the 4th, during a campaign in Myeongnyun-dong, Jongno, Lee addressed his supporters, saying, "Please do not hate former leader Hwang too much. And (to Hwang’s supporters) please do not hate me, Lee Nak-yeon." He added, "We are in a position where we must cooperate to save the country."

He continued, "If even a little hatred toward (former leader Hwang) arises in my heart, I will firmly keep my mouth shut and endure it," and said, "So when crossing this river of crisis, I will make sure that not a single citizen is left behind but crosses together."

B, a worker in his 30s, said, "It seemed like a kind of inclusive remark rather than slandering the opposing candidate," adding, "Focusing on overcoming the difficulties of COVID-19 that the people are suffering from was good." He continued, "Hwang Kyo-ahn was not bad at speaking either, but comparing the two, I think Lee Nak-yeon did better."

On the afternoon of the 24th, a banner with a concession message from Hwang Kyo-ahn, former leader of the United Future Party who lost in the 21st general election, was hung in front of a crosswalk in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

Mr. C, a man in his 60s whom we met in the Masan Agujjim (spicy braised monkfish) alley near Nakwon Arcade in Jongno, said, "If you ask if he spoke well, I’m not sure in detail, but at least it was not uncomfortable for the listener," adding, "Maybe because of his good voice, compared to Hwang Kyo-ahn, he seemed more relaxed."

D, a worker in his 50s, said, "Hwang Kyo-ahn had some controversies about harsh language," adding, "Judging by his tone, he seemed to show a somewhat vertical attitude, looking down from above. I often got the feeling he was just like a bureaucrat."

He continued, "If he has been in public office for a long time and cannot change his tone, at least during the election, he should have hidden that side, but it seems he did not."

Experts say the reason voters found Lee’s speech more comfortable than former leader Hwang’s is because his words stem from long political experience. It is an analysis that his speech and behavior come from experience.

Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon analyzed, "In the case of elected member Lee Nak-yeon, in short, he is a politician. Having served a long time as a member of the National Assembly, spokesperson, governor of Jeollanam-do, and prime minister, he can be said to have developed a kind of 'political skill.'"

Regarding former leader Hwang, he said, "On the other hand, Hwang Kyo-ahn is someone who has spent a long time as a public official," adding, "Comparing their words, Lee Nak-yeon’s speech can be said to be more like a politician’s language." He further evaluated, "This difference may have influenced voters."

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