hankyoreh

at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul

President Moon Jae-in had promised to become the “Gwanghwamun president,” meaning he would maintain the spirit of the candlelight revolution and be a more open president, and when he took the stage at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on the evening of May 9, the plaza erupted with shouts of “Moon Jae-in.”

When Moon climbed upon the temporary stage that the Minjoo Party had set up in the Sejong Street Park, near Gwanghwamun Square, at 11:45 pm, his supporters, carrying blue glow sticks, chanted first “Moon Jae-in” and then the Korean word for “President.” Park Jin-yang, a 53-year-old office worker, stayed at Gwanghwamun with his son, a middle school student, as midnight approached. “Carrying the candles was worthwhile. I hope that Moon will be someone who can lead the country by telling right from wrong,” Park said.

While a gentle rain had been falling since the afternoon, Gwanghwamun began to buzz around the time that the three major broadcasters announced the results of exit polls at 8 pm. Ten seconds before 8 pm, the citizens who had been anxiously watching the broadcasters’ electronic displays at Gwanghwamun Square counted down from 10 to 1. As soon as the results of the exit polls were announced, they raised a shout. They took selfies with the electronic displays in the background, as if to commemorate the historic moment. “This was a moment I never imagined back when I first picked up a candle,” one person said.

“I came here because I wanted to let out a shout. I’d never gone to a protest before, but I was so angry about the influence-peddling scandal that I attended 12 or 13 of the candlelight demonstrations. The new president has to tear down the establishment and create a society based on common sense,” said Jo Seong-ho, 51, a self-employed resident of Incheon.

Families of victims of the Sewol ferry sinking watch the results of the presidential election

More than 20 family members of those lost in the 2014 sinking of the Sewol ferry departed Ansan, Gyeonggi Province in the evening and reached Gwanghwamun around 10:20 pm. “Koreans didn’t have anything to get excited about, but now they do. Moon Jae-in promised to set up a Sewol fact-finding body directly responsible to him, so I hope that gets set up soon,” said Hong Yeong-mi, 49, mother of Lee Jae-wook, a male student from Danwon High School who died in the sinking.

Residents of Seongju County, North Gyeongsang Province, where a candlelight demonstration opposing the THAAD missile defense deployment was held for the 301st consecutive day, expressed their hope that Moon would reverse the THAAD deployment. “Moon Jae-in needs to meet with Donald Trump soon to settle the THAAD deployment issue,” said Lim Soon-boon, 61, chair of the Soseong Village Women’s Association.

The families of passengers who have yet to be recovered from the Sewol ferry were filled with emotion as they watched the results of the exit polls at Mokpo New Harbor in South Jeolla Province and recalled their pain and disappointment of the past three years. “The new president needs to visit the site of the Sewol sinking in person. He should set up a dedicated team inside the Blue House and keep tabs on it daily. He also needs to look into why it took three years to raise the ferry,” said Jo Nam-seong, 53, the father of Jo Eun-hwa, a female student at Danwon High School whose body has not been found.

“When the government pursues projects, it needs to put more effort into minimizing conflict with residents. If this administration wants to have the public on its side, it will have to carry out a fact-finding investigation and take steps to issue pardons and restore rights instead of just covering up and disregarding the problems with the Jeju Naval Base.” said Koh Gwon-il, vice chair of the Gangjeong Village Committee in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, who has been fighting the Jeju Naval Base for 10 years. “I hope that he will resolve concerns about the militarization of Jeju Island and turn it into an island of peace.”

At 8:15 pm, about 10 minutes after the results of the exit polls were jointly announced by main broadcasters KBS, MBC and SBS, Moon emerged from his residence in the Hongeun neighborhood of Seoul with a big smile on his face. Moon returned the greetings of more than 20 of his supporters, shaking each of their hands. Some of his supporters were shedding tears and sobbing.

By Park Su-ji, Park Soo-jin and Ko Han-sol, staff reporters

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