The Democratic Party Faces 'Crushing Defeat' in Exit Polls, Silent and Somber... Leadership Maintains Composed Expressions

Exit Polls from 3 Major Terrestrial Broadcasters
Complete Defeat in Seoul and Busan
Solemn Atmosphere Amid Silence
Oh Se-hoon 59%, Park Young-sun 37.7%
Park Hyung-joon 64%, Kim Young-choon 33%

Kim Tae-nyeon, Acting Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and others are leaving the party headquarters after checking the exit poll results of the April 7 by-elections at the situation room set up at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 7th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] At 8:15 p.m. on the 7th, when the broadcast station exit poll results for the April 7 by-elections were announced as a landslide victory for the opposition, the Democratic Party of Korea could not hide their somber atmosphere. Short sighs were heard, and some party leaders showed bewildered expressions. Some lawmakers silently bowed their heads.

At around 8:07 p.m., Kim Tae-nyeon, the acting party leader, entered the vote counting room with a heavy expression. For about eight minutes until the exit poll was announced, there was an intense silence where not even a breath could be heard. Sitting with his hands clasped, Kim intently watched the broadcast for about eight minutes, and when the exit poll results were announced at 8:15, he remained motionless with a stern expression, silently watching the TV screen.

In the exit polls by the three terrestrial broadcasters that day, in the Seoul mayoral election, Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate, received 59% of the votes, winning a landslide victory against Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party candidate, who received 37.7%. In the Busan election, Park Hyung-joon of the People Power Party received 64.0%, while Kim Young-choon of the Democratic Party received 33.0%.

As the broadcast aired with the remarks of Oh Se-hoon, whose chances of winning had increased, and Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman, occasional sighs were heard among the leadership, and an overall heavy silence prevailed.

Kim Tae-nyeon, Acting Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and others showed stern expressions on the 7th after checking the exit poll results of the April 7 by-elections at the situation room set up at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

When the announcer mentioned that the early voting results were not yet reflected, some lawmakers became unsettled. At around 8:24 p.m., Acting Leader Kim unclasped his hands, and camera flashes went off. Floor leader Kim left at around 8:25 p.m. with a stern expression, without making any statement.

Meanwhile, Lee Nak-yeon, the standing election committee chairman, was not present in the vote counting room that day. This was because his wife had entered self-quarantine due to close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.

The Democratic Party’s Public Relations Office stated, "Chairman Lee’s wife was classified as a close contact and entered self-quarantine until April 15," adding, "Chairman Lee will also enter self-quarantine with his wife following the recommendations of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency."

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