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By Kang Hyun-kyung
A former leader of the ruling Saenuri Party conceded defeat Wednesday after he fell behind his rival by a double-digit margin, and announced he would retire from politics.
Rep. Hong Joon-pyo, a four-term lawmaker, is one of a number of senior politicians who were defeated in Wednesday’s National Assembly elections.
Hong, who has 30 years of public service under his belt, announced his retirement via social networking site Twitter about three hours after voting ended at 6 p.m.
“From now on, I will lead my own life as a free spirit without anxiety or pressure from voters. I appreciate those who voted for me in the Dongdaemun election in Seoul,” he said.
Before joining politics, Hong was a prosecutor for many years. He was nicknamed the “Sandglass Prosecutor” after the title of a 1995 hit television drama that featured him as the lead character. Over the years he earned a reputation as an outspoken, straight-talking politician.
Elsewhere, Park Se-il, a founder and leader of the minor conservative Korea Vision Party, was crushed in the Seocho A election in Seoul. His defeat drew attention due to his low support in the conservative stronghold, revealing that his slogan to reform the political arena was viewed negatively.
Campaign watchers called his reform drive “a storm in a teacup,” as the minor conservative party was initially seen as a threat to the ruling Saenuri Party when it was created in February, two months before the elections. Several campaign watchers predicted a vote split.
Kim Yong-min, a podcast star-turned-politician, also ran unsuccessfully in the elections after he caused a stir with controversial remarks involving religious leaders, politicians and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
After the remarks created backlash against the liberal party, Han Myeong-sook, chairwoman of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP), reportedly advised him to give up his bid. Kim refused, stating that he would be judged by voters, not politicians.
Rep. Sim Dae-pyung, a leader of the minor Liberty Forward Party (LFP), was defeated by former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan in Sejong City, an LFP stronghold.
Lee ran in the election on the DUP ticket. Sim’s defeat came as a shock as the region was the home turf of the conservative LFP. His support base was in the greater Chungcheong region, but he was slammed in the polls.
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