Tension Filled People Power Party Bursts into Cheers as Exit Polls Are Released

Staff Gathered for Duty an Hour Ago
Oh Shows Tense Expression Before Announcement

"This Election Was Especially Long. Thank You for Your Support"
Kim: "I Feel Public Sentiment Is Exploding"

On the 7th, Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, raised both hands and cheered while listening to the exit poll results at the Central Party Office situation room in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] About 10 minutes before the exit poll results from the three major broadcasters were announced at 8:15 p.m. on the 7th, a tense atmosphere filled the People Power Party’s vote counting situation room. The laughter and conversations heard about an hour earlier had completely disappeared. Prior to this, key party officials had gathered in the vote counting situation room set up on the third floor of the People Power Party’s central office well before the exit poll results announcement began. With relaxed expressions as if sensing victory, the officials were naturally engaging in conversations.

Just before 8 p.m., Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party’s Seoul mayoral candidate, dressed in a suit with a deep wine-colored tie, entered the situation room to cheers. Sitting in the front row waiting for the exit poll results, he maintained a somewhat tense and stiff expression. Candidate Oh either had brief conversations with Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman sitting next to him, or remained silent.

Chairman Kim also wore a serious expression, occasionally closing his eyes. Joo Ho-young, the floor leader sitting beside Chairman Kim, appeared tense as well, staring straight ahead without much conversation while wiping the sweat from his hands.

When all three broadcasters announced that Candidate Oh was likely to win, those gathered in the situation room burst into cheers. Oh closed his eyes for about five seconds immediately after the announcement. He tilted his head back, took a deep breath, and quietly bowed his head. Then, the attendees on site clasped their hands together and raised them in a victory pose. Candidate Oh turned around and gave a 90-degree bow. Applause continued for about a minute. From the back of the situation room, chants of "Oh Se-hoon, Oh Se-hoon" echoed.

After the exit poll results were announced, Candidate Oh said, "It is still not the final result, and since the victory is not confirmed, it is too early to share my thoughts," adding, "I will watch a little longer and speak after the results come out. For now, I sincerely thank those who have supported me so that we can watch with anticipation."

On the 7th, Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, is moved as he listens to the exit poll results at the party headquarters situation room in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Chairman Kim said, "It is premature to talk about the results based solely on exit polls," but added, "The numbers shown in the exit polls make me feel that public sentiment is exploding. So, I think this is an election where the common sense of the people has won." He also expressed his gratitude to the citizens.

After sharing his thoughts, Candidate Oh responded to questions from reporters, saying, "This election was especially long," and "From the initial declaration of candidacy until now, through about three months of a long primary period, unification period, and the final stage, many thoughts flashed through my mind in a very short time right after the exit poll announcement." After greeting the party members who helped him at the campaign office, Candidate Oh said he would quietly wait.

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