The Democratic Party of Korea assessed on the 4th that winning 12 of 16 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial races in the June 3 local elections amounted to a victory, saying, "There is some regret, but I think it is a victory."
Speaking during a question-and-answer session after a press conference by party leader Jung Chung-rae at the National Assembly that day, Secretary-General Cho Seung-rae said, "It is regrettable that it would have been even better if we had also won the Seoul mayor, South Gyeongsang governor and Daegu mayor races." He added, "In the 2022 local elections, it was 5 (Democratic Party) to 12 (People Power Party), but this time it became 12 to 4."
However, Strategy Headquarters head Lee Yeon-hee added, "I hope the significance of the various victories that have been overshadowed by the failure to win the Seoul mayor race will also be highlighted," saying, "I hope the wins in basic-level municipal head races, which can set a new vision for balanced development in local politics, will also be spotlighted."
Regarding the ballot shortage that occurred the previous day, he said, "I have the thought that we should even consider the standing of the secretary-general who is responsible for the election commission's administration." This means that Heo Cheol-hoon, secretary-general of the National Election Commission, should be held accountable.
He then said to the People Power Party, "I hope they will not engage in such low-grade politics — demanding a halt to vote counting and a revote when the election seems unfavorable, and then quietly letting the issue slide when the counting turns favorable."
On Yoo Eui-dong of the People Power Party winning the Pyeongtaek-B by-election, defeating Democratic Party candidate Kim Yong-nam and Rebuilding Korea Party candidate Cho Kuk, he said, "It is very regrettable that competition between candidates of allied parties of the same color ended up giving another party a windfall."
Regarding the issue of merging with the Rebuilding Korea Party, he said, "We will fundamentally consider whether it is appropriate to advance the structure of solidarity and cooperation in the form of a merger or integration, or whether a runoff voting system would be right, as leader Jung said." Jung had stated that he would consider introducing a runoff voting system to unify candidates with other parties in nationwide election units.
