Justice Party '0 Seats' Sim Sang-jung 'Defeated'... "I Will Step Down from Progressive Politics"

Sim Sang-jung, co-chair of the Green Justice Party's joint election committee, hinted at 'retiring from politics' as she took responsibility for the Justice Party being pushed out as a 'non-parliamentary party' for the first time in 12 years since its founding.

On the morning of the 11th, Chairperson Sim held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and stated, "I will step down from the duty of progressive politics that I have regarded as my destiny for 25 years, with the remaining term of the 21st National Assembly as my last." The Justice Party had maintained its position as the 'third parliamentary party' by securing one constituency seat and five proportional representation seats allocated to Chairperson Sim in the last general election, but this time, the Green Justice Party failed to win a single seat.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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Chairperson Sim said, "I did not receive the trust of the constituency residents in this general election, and above all, the Green Justice Party suffered a crushing defeat," adding, "As someone who has long stood at the center of progressive parties, I deeply feel responsible." She continued, "I bow my head in sincere apology to the people who have accompanied and encouraged us on the harsh third path," and added, "I am grateful and sorry to the beloved party members and supporters who have pioneered this arduous and lonely path together."

While expressing her thoughts on the election results, Chairperson Sim occasionally appeared on the verge of tears. She emphasized, "I started politics to change politics that was disconnected from the lives of the people, and I devoted myself to a just welfare state rather than gaining power," and added, "Because I never gave up on that dream, I believe that the rights of the vulnerable and ordinary citizens in our society have improved, and South Korean society has progressed, even if only a little."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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Meanwhile, the results of the 22nd general election showed that of the 254 constituency seats, the Democratic Party of Korea won 161 seats, the People Power Party 90 seats, New Future 1 seat, Reform New Party 1 seat, and Progressive Party 1 seat. Of the 46 proportional representation seats, the People’s Future Party secured 18 seats, the Democratic Coalition 14 seats, the Homeland Innovation Party 12 seats, and the Reform New Party 2 seats. With this, the Democratic Party secured a total of 175 seats, and the Homeland Innovation Party quickly took the position of the 'third parliamentary party.' The Justice Party was pushed out of the National Assembly for the first time in 12 years since its founding.

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