"Democratic Party X-Man... Won Thanks to Him" Mocking Comments Flooded Gominjeong's SNS After 'Tearful Campaign'

After By-Election Exit Polls, Some Netizens Leave Comments

A photo posted by Go Min-jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, on her Facebook on the 27th of last month. / Photo by Facebook

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] In the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election, where Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon won by a landslide, some netizens have been leaving "thank you comments" on the Facebook page of Assemblywoman Ko Min-jung, who actively supported Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party candidate. They sarcastically criticized her, implying that thanks to Ko's campaign efforts, the opposition candidate won. Earlier, Ko had gained attention for her "emotional campaign," shedding tears while appealing for support for Park in front of a voter.

On the 7th, the day of the by-election voting, Ko shared a post written by Park on her Facebook, indirectly encouraging Seoul citizens to vote.

In the post shared by Ko, Park said, "I engrave the citizens' earnestness in my heart once again. Please add your earnestness to Park Young-sun's earnestness," and appealed, "If you can lead ten people around you to the polling station by 8 p.m. today, we will win."

However, around 8:15 p.m. that day, when exit polls from the three major terrestrial broadcasters showed Mayor Oh's landslide victory, some conservative-leaning netizens left mocking comments on Ko's post. They sarcastically claimed that thanks to Ko's active campaigning, the opposition candidate was able to win.

One netizen wrote, "Thank you very much and great job to Democratic Party X-Man Assemblywoman Ko Min-jung, who greatly contributed to Mayor Oh Se-hoon's election. Please take a good rest." Another netizen said, "Congratulations on becoming the number one cause of Park Young-sun candidate's defeat. Stop selling emotions and start selling policies now," criticizing her.

However, some netizens left comments comforting Ko. One netizen said, "I saw you working hard throughout the campaign period, so the result is heartbreaking," and encouraged her, "Pull yourself together and cheer up until the next presidential election."

Some netizens left mocking comments on Assemblyman Go's Facebook. / Photo by Facebook capture

Earlier, on the 27th of last month, Ko had posted on her Facebook, engaging in an "emotional campaign." On that day, she said, "On a rainy spring afternoon, I met Gwangjin residents while appealing for support for candidate Park Young-sun," and added, "In the somewhat chilly weather, one person approached me and said, 'We support you. Don't get tired. Let's work hard together to protect Seoul,' and gave me a tight hug."

In the photo posted with the post, Ko is seen crying while being embraced by a citizen holding an umbrella.

Regarding this, Ko said, "Maybe because I heard what I wanted to hear, I couldn't hold back my tears," and added, "That person and I hugged each other for a long time in the rain."

She continued, "Before I knew it, the cold was gone, leaving only warmth, courage, and a strong will to protect the citizens of Seoul," emphasizing, "I will create a greater Seoul together with more citizens."

The opposition party immediately reacted against the photo, claiming it was nothing more than "emotional manipulation" aimed at voters' sentiments.

Kim Ye-ryeong, spokesperson for the People Power Party, issued a statement on the 29th of the same month, saying, "Have you ever shed tears even once for the victims? Have you ever embraced the people who have to vote because of the sexual harassment by former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon?" and criticized it as "the worst emotional manipulation."

She added, "If you are truly sorry, show restraint in front of the people," emphasizing, "The shameless and brazen trio of victims' appeals are exactly why this by-election is being held and why the Moon Jae-in administration must be judged in this election."

On the same day, Assemblyman Kim Woong of the same party also posted on Facebook, saying, "The harsh words thrown at the victims cannot be erased by a tear show," and sarcastically remarked, "Even the last princess Anastasia wept, but the monarchy did not return."

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