Cheong Wa Dae embarrassed by ruling party's election defeat

SEOUL, April 30 (Yonhap) -- The presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, appears to have been shocked by the ruling party's crushing defeat in the parliamentary by-elections on Wednesday, but its officials reacted calmly, refusing to attach any significant meaning to the election results.

Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Lee Dong-kwan, in a telephone call with Yonhap News
Agency, refused to comment on the results of the by-elections held in five
electoral districts nationwide, only saying,"The presidential office won't issue
any official comment on the by-election results."
According to the spokesman, President Lee Myung-bak watched the election on
television in his office, but didn't make any remark in particular about the
struggling ruling party candidates.
The ruling Grand National Party failed to win any of the five contested seats in
the by-elections, amid a strong performance by independent and opposition
candidates. The main opposition Democratic Party secured one win.
Reflecting the widespread disappointment, another presidential aide conceded that
Cheong Wa Dae is somewhat embarrassed by the election defeat.
"We had expected the ruling party to win at least one seat in the by-elections.
But the party failed to win any of the five seats up for grabs. It was deeply
regrettable," a presidential aide said.
"Nevertheless, we don't give any special meaning to the election results, because
most of the five contested districts are characterized by strong regionalism," he
said.