As the exit poll for the 9th nationwide local elections on the 3rd showed the People Power Party leading in 1 of 16 metropolitan governments and in a tight race in 4, silence continued and the mood turned somber. The leadership left the situation room about 40 minutes after the exit poll was released.
Around 5:50 p.m. at the People Power Party ballot-count situation room set up at the central party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, the leadership and election committee officials gathered. As 6 p.m., when the exit poll would be announced, approached, they watched the broadcast with tense expressions.
When results showed the People Power Party ahead only in North Gyeongsang among the 16 metropolitan governments, with the Democratic Party holding an advantage in 11, including Seoul, and 4 in contention, only a hush lingered in the People Power Party situation room. Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok sat upright with hands clasped, staring at the exit poll results with a grim expression.
Floor leader Song Eon-seog and election headquarters chief Chung Hee-yong kept their eyes fixed on the screen, their faces stiff. Even when battleground areas were introduced, none of them showed any notable change in expression.
About 40 minutes after the exit poll was released, the leadership, including Jang, and election committee officials left the ballot-count situation room with stern looks.
Supreme Council member Cho Gwang-han met with reporters after the exit poll and said, "This election was much harder than the 2018 local elections. It was a very tough landscape," while adding, "However, more meaningful figures have come out than in the 2018 election situation, so we need to see the final results. Based on that, we should analyze and then set our strategy going forward."