Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, said on the 4th, “I will humbly accept the people's choice,” announcing his concession in the presidential election.
Around 1:36 a.m. that day, Kim held a press conference at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, stating, “I will not forget the warm support from the people I have received so far.”
Dressed in a black suit with a red tie, Kim came out of his home in Bongcheon-dong, Seoul, heading to the People Power Party headquarters when Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate, became certain of his victory around 50 minutes after the initial results.
He took out a prepared statement from his suit pocket and read it.
Kim said, “Congratulations to the elected candidate, Lee Jae-myung,” and noted, “I will not forget the warm support from the people who have sent it to me over time.”
He then expressed gratitude to the party members who elected him and ran alongside him.
Kim concluded his statement by saying, “Korea has continued to make great strides with the power of the people, even when faced with crises,” and expressed his sincere gratitude to the people for their overwhelming support.
Attending Kim's press conference were Kim Yong-tae, chair of the emergency countermeasures committee, Ahn Cheol-soo, Na Kyung-won, Yang Hyang-ja, and Hwang Woo-yeo, co-chairs of the election commission, Yoon Jae-ok, the overall director of the election committee, along with former Democratic Party leader Son Hak-kyu, Kim Jae-won, candidate secretary, Park Dae-chul, support headquarters director, Lee Man-hee, chief of delegation, Park Chung-kwon, deputy chief of delegation, and lawmakers Song Seok-jun, Kim Hyung-dong, Lee In-sun, Park Soo-min, and Jeong Hee-yong.
After reading his statement, Kim shook hands with each of the attending lawmakers, party officials, and reporters, leaving the headquarters around 2:10 p.m. Although the party office staff attempted to offer a bouquet prepared to convey consolation and encouragement, Kim declined by extending his hand.
Some hardline supporters shouted “Election fraud” and “Refusal to accept the election,” and hurled insults at Kim, demanding he refuse the alleged election fraud.