Candidates Concede

[Anchor Lead]

Meanwhile, the remaining presidential candidates have conceded defeat one by one. Each tried to offer their interpretation of the election results, but also showed disappointment at the loss.

[Pkg]

Liberty Korea Party candidate Hong Joon-pyo left his home for the party headquarters when Moon Jae-in's victory became certain. At first he smiled as he shook hands with party officials, but once the press conference started he acknowledged defeat with a somber expression.

[Soundbite] Hong Joon-pyo(Liberty Korea Party Presidential Candidate) : "I accept the result and will be satisfied with rebuilding the Liberty Korea Party."

Hong made no additional comments despite a flood of questions from the reporters. Ahn Cheol-soo of the People's Party also showed up at party headquarters around the same time. He looked grim as he shook hands with party officials and announced that he accepted the result.

[Soundbite] Ahn Cheol-soo(People's Party Presidential Candidate) : "I humbly accept the people's choice. I fell short of measuring up to the fervent desire for change."

Ahn said that he hopes Korea will head toward the future with the new president and that he will work harder for the reform and future of Korea. The Bareun Party's Yoo Seong-min mentioned that he had called Moon to congratulate him and deliver a request.

[Soundbite] Yoo Seong-min(Bareun Party Presidential Candidate) : "I asked him to be a president who listens humbly to even the voices of those who did not support him."

Sim Sang-jung of the Justice Party found significance in the election by thanking party members for coming so far despite difficult conditions.

[Soundbite] Sim Sang-jung(Justice Party Presidential Candidate) : "This election will serve as an opportunity for the Justice Party to make new progress."

The defeated candidates all announced their acceptance of the election result but did not comment in detail on their future plans.