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Park Geun-hye leaves after a national convention of the Grand National Party for a presidential primary at the Olympic Gymnasium in Seoul on Monday./ AP
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After the Grand National Party primaries came to a close on Monday, those within and without the party praised runner-up Park Geun-hye for conceding without protest although she lost only by a narrow margin.
Right after Lee was nominated as the GNP's presidential candidate, Park said, "I admit defeat in the primaries. I accept the result." As almost no losers so cleanly accepted the results of GNP primaries in the past, party members and delegates at the convention gave her a big round of applause to shouts of ¡°Park Geun-hye.¡±
Other contenders also had praise for Park. Won Hee-ryong, the second runner-up, said, "Listening to candidate Park Geun-hye deliver her speech sitting behind her, I felt the tip of my nose tingle. I sincerely express my respect and sympathy to candidate Park." Hong Joon-pyo, the third runner-up, said, "It can¡¯t have been easy for Park to accept the result of the primaries. She pledged to help the party win the presidential election. Now we must pool our efforts and wisdom to win the presidential election on Dec. 19 and not forfeit this golden opportunity."
Praise also came from Internet users. Chosun.com and portal sites were inundated with messages. "I saw you smile until the last moment. Respect," said one. "You cleanly accepted the primary results. You pledged to join in your party's presidential campaign. You are truly a lady," said another. "I'm glad to see candidate Park again as a woman with firm and beautiful principles," said another. "If you run next time, I'll support you."
Other messages asked her to cooperate with the winner Lee Myung-bak. "No words can comfort your wounded heart. But becoming president is not the only way to serve the country," one said. "If you join hands with the winner, you'll gain a meritorious reward and greater honor in the future,¡± consoled another.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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