On His Birthday, Hwang Kyo-ahn Loses Election... Lee Myung-bak Elected President, a Twisted 'Political Fate'

Hwang Kyo-ahn Loses 21st General Election on Birthday... MB Wins 17th Presidential Election
Ruling Party's Overwhelming Victory with 180 Seats Creates 'Dinosaur Ruling Party'

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, announced on the 15th that he would take responsibility for the party's defeat in the 'April 15 general election' and step down from his position as party leader. Coincidentally, this day is known to be Hwang's birthday, leading to comparisons with former President Lee Myung-bak.

Leader Hwang was born on April 15, 1957. On his birthday, he lost the Jongno district election to Lee Nak-yeon, the Democratic Party candidate, and was defeated.

In the case of former President Lee, when he was elected in the 17th presidential election on December 19, 2007, the date coincided with both his birthday (1941) and his wedding anniversary (1970). This led to the phrase 'Lee Myung-bak Day.'

At that time, immediately after his election, former President Lee expressed his thoughts, saying, "I will definitely revive the Korean economy, which is in crisis. I will ensure the harmony of our divided society and the unity of the people."

Given these circumstances, there is a somewhat ironic view that these two politicians share a peculiar 'political fate,' with one being elected president on his birthday and the other losing a parliamentary seat on his birthday.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Leader Hwang held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly Library auditorium, where the party's vote counting situation room was set up, stating, "I will take full responsibility," and "As I previously promised, I will take responsibility for the election results and resign from all party positions." He added, "I will step down from the frontline, reflect on the hearts of the people, and contemplate what my role is for the country and the people."

Hwang apologized to the public, saying, "I am sorry to the people," and "At this critical national moment, I failed to prevent the country from going in the wrong direction," adding, "It is because our party failed to earn the people's trust. It is all my fault and my lack of insight as the leader."

Hwang bowed deeply for about five seconds, shook hands with party officials and Won Yoo-chul, leader of the satellite party Future Korea Party, and then left the venue.

In the 21st general election, public sentiment overwhelmingly favored the ruling party, resulting in the creation of a 'giant ruling party' with 180 seats, equivalent to three-fifths of the total 300 seats in the National Assembly.

As of 6:22 a.m. on the 16th, the Democratic Party and its satellite party, the Together Citizens' Party, were counted as having secured 180 seats alone. The nationwide vote counting rate was 99.3%. The United Future Party and the Future Korea Party secured only 103 seats, three seats more than the 100-seat threshold to block constitutional amendments.

Looking only at constituency votes, the Democratic Party won 163 seats, the United Future Party 84 seats, the Justice Party 1 seat, and independents 5 seats.

The emergence of a giant 'dinosaur party' exceeding three-fifths of the total seats as a single party is unprecedented since democratization in 1987. As a result, the ruling party can exercise most legislative powers except for constitutional amendments.