The Turnaround in One Year: Democratic Party Apologizes, People Power Party Says "Polls Reflect Public Sentiment"

Lee Nak-yeon "I deeply understand the anger and disappointment, reflect and innovate"
Joo Ho-young "20-30% difference in polls reflects public sentiment"

Lee Nak-yeon, the Standing Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving a speech appealing for support for candidate Park Young-sun during a campaign rally in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul on the 31st. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, are conducting a joint campaign tour in front of Yeouido Station in Seoul on the 29th. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The roles have reversed after one year. Last April, ahead of the general election, former United Future Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn knelt down and pleaded, "Please help me." Now, the Democratic Party of Korea, driven by the argument for regime judgment, is in a position of apology and supplication. The People Power Party is wary of a 'last-minute comeback defeat' that lets go of a caught rabbit, but their underlying confidence is not hidden.

On the 31st, Lee Nak-yeon, the Democratic Party's Standing Election Committee Chair, held a press conference appealing to the public, saying, "I painfully understand how great and deep the anger and disappointment the public feels about the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) scandal are. I also know well that the anger is not only because of the LH scandal," and apologized, "We will reflect and innovate until your anger subsides." He also proposed a 'national responsibility system for home ownership,' including easing financial regulations for first-time homebuyers, preferential treatment for subscription, and a '50-year maturity mortgage loan national guarantee system.'

The day before, during a field campaign in the Jung-gu area, Lee said, "I am also very frustrated," and bowed repeatedly, saying, "The blows from the public are incredibly painful. I am determined to change this world where some make big money from real estate while others lose hope because of that real estate. Let's make a definite change this time." While emphasizing apology and strong measures to prevent recurrence, he is employing a dual strategy by focusing criticism on real estate suspicions of People Power Party candidates like Oh Se-hoon for Seoul mayor and Park Hyung-joon for Busan mayor.

During last year's general election, when the COVID-19 crisis was widespread, the government's and ruling party's 'K-quarantine' was even evaluated as successful, and the situation favored the ruling party. On the other hand, the conservative opposition was seen as a force obstructing the government, and repeated verbal controversies further cooled public opinion. At that time, leader Hwang took off his shoes and knelt several times, making deep bows while pleading, "Please help me," and "I earnestly ask," but he could not prevent a crushing defeat.

Despite the Democratic Party's relentless offensive, the People Power Party, which holds an advantage in various opinion polls, expresses both tension and confidence. Kim Jong-in, the People Power Party's Emergency Committee Chair, recently mentioned, "(In the Seoul mayoral election) we will win by about 5 to 7%." This is a narrower margin than the gap shown in the opinion polls with the Democratic Party.

Regarding this, Joo Ho-young, the People Power Party floor leader, appeared on KBS Radio that day and said, "It seems to mean 'Don't be complacent because if we say we will win overwhelmingly, supporters might not go to the polls,'" adding, "Some polls show a 20 to 30% difference, but the current public sentiment is like that."

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