"Sleepless Night"... Seoul and Busan Defeats, Ruling Party Lawmakers' 'SNS Silence'

After the exit poll results of the April 7 by-election were announced, indicating the likely victory of Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, all party officials left the vote counting situation room set up at the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, showing a somber atmosphere. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] As the April 7 by-elections ended in a crushing defeat for the Democratic Party of Korea, Democratic Party lawmakers have largely remained silent without mentioning the election results until the morning of the 8th.

Many lawmakers who were active on social networking services (SNS) have shown little reaction after posting messages encouraging voting. Only a few lawmakers left brief comments expressing their regrets about the election results.

Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sang-min wrote on his Facebook on the 7th, "I deeply feel the old saying, 'The ruler is the boat, the people are the water. Water can float the boat, but it can also overturn it.'" He added, "I fear public sentiment. We need to carefully observe the people's will and take drastic measures."

Lawmaker Song Young-gil also wrote on Facebook that day, "This election is full of regrets. I have a lot to say, but I will stop here. It looks like it will be a sleepless night."

He continued, "I will not forget the sincerity shown during the election period. To all party members and comrades, thank you so much," adding, "It was a difficult election from the start. Thanks to the party members and comrades, we made it to the end. We will continue to build a winning party together with you."

On the 8th, Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, whose victory in the April 7 by-election was confirmed, visited the vote counting situation room set up at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, expressed his gratitude for the win, and joyfully held a bouquet and a doll (left). Park Hyung-joon, the People Power Party candidate for Busan mayor, also confirmed his victory and raised both hands high while wearing a wreath around his neck at the election office in Busanjin-gu, Busan (right). [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, posted a message on Facebook on the 8th accepting defeat. Park said, "We sincerely prepared for a new spring for 10 million citizens, but that spring has passed," and "I bow deeply and offer my heartfelt thanks to the citizens who wished for sincerity to win."

She added, "I will also accept the feelings of the citizens who raised the disciplinary stick," and "Now, looking at the newly sprouting light green leaves, I will take time for deep reflection."

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