| Former presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, the candidate of the main opposition Democratic Party for a parliamentary by-election in the Gyeyang-B constituency in Incheon, speaks to reporters at his campaign office in the city's Gyeyang Ward, west of Seo |
By Nam Hyun-woo
Former presidential candidates Lee Jae-myung and Ahn Cheol-soo have renewed their positions in politics as lawmakers.
During Wednesday's parliamentary by-elections, which took place in seven constituencies concurrently with local elections, Lee of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and Ahn Cheol-soo of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) won in Incheon's Gyeyang District B and Seongnam's Bundang District A, respectively. Overall, the PPP won in five out of seven constituencies.
In Incheon, Lee took a victory over PPP's Yoon Hyeong-seon by 55.24 percent to 44.75 percent. Unlike initial expectations, the former DPK flagbearer staged a tough race against the political rookie to clinch his first term at the National Assembly.
Lee's bid to run in the by-election was widely seen as a political gamble, because he was running in another election less than three months after his unsuccessful presidential campaign, rather than taking the responsibility for the defeat.
Lee claimed that he returned to the frontlines of politics to spearhead the DPK's campaigns, but at the same time faced criticism for running in the election to gain a “bulletproof vest” from allegations surrounding him and his family members by using a lawmaker's immunity from arrest granted by law.
Incheon's Gyeyang District B has been a DPK stronghold, electing liberal candidates in six out of seven recent elections for lawmakers. As a result, Lee was criticized for choosing an easy constituency even though he has no experience related to the region.
“I will do my best to restore people's trust in the party and myself, and spare no effort to win people's hearts again,” Lee said, referring to his party's crushing defeat in Wednesday's elections.
“Though difficulties had been expected for the elections, I will humbly take the people's serious concerns onboard. I will overhaul myself and do my best to meet public expectations.”
Ahn Cheol-soo in political mainstream
| People Power Party lawmaker candidate Ahn Cheol-soo celebrates at his election camp in Bundang District, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday, as his victory is anticipated after more than half of the ballots were counted. Joint Press Corps |
Ahn enjoyed a relatively comfortable win and earned his third term as a lawmaker, as he maintained a lead over Kim throughout the counting process
The victory gives Ahn greater political influence, compared to his previous stints as a lawmaker, because this time he will engage in legislative activities as a member of the ruling party.
So far, Ahn mostly played a role in Korean politics as a minor voice, thus failing to gain enough political leverage. Just days before the presidential election, however, Ahn, who was a presidential candidate of his People's Party, merged his campaign with Yoon and the party was absorbed into the PPP.
Now having won a lawmaker seat as a PPP member, he is anticipated to make efforts to expand his influence in the party and attempt to make his way into the party's leadership.
In Jeju B precinct, the DPK's Kim Han-kyu clinched a hard fought victory over the PPP's Boo Sang-il by 49.41 percent to 45.14 percent. In Changwon's Euichang District, the PPP's Kim Yeong-sun secured 62.74 percent, outpacing the DPK's Kim Ji-soo with 37.25 percent.
In Boryeong and Seocheon County, South Chuncheong Province, the PPP's Jang Dong-hyeok garnered 51.01 percent to lead the DPK's Na So-yeol with 48.98 percent, in what was a neck-and-neck race.
In Daegu's Suseong District B, the PPP's Lee In-seon beat the DPK's Kim Young-rack by 79.78 percent to 20.21 percent. In Gangwon Province's Wonju A, PPP candidate Park Jung-ha outpaced DPK candidate Won Chang-muk by 57.8 percent to 42.19 percent.