Shin Kyoung-min, a rising political rookie for the main opposition Democratic United Party, looked certain to defeat Rep. Kwon Young-se, a third-term and incumbent lawmaker from the ruling Saenuri Party, based on exit polls.

In the polls jointly conducted by major local broadcasters, Shin won 53.4 percent of the respondents’ votes, defeating his right-wing opponent by 6.8 percentage points despite lagging in support earlier.

The ruling Saenuri Party was expecting an easy victory in the Yeongdeungpo-B constituency until the DUP made an aggressive challenge by naming the anchor-turned-spokesperson to run there.

The district holds a symbolic significance as it embraces Yeouido, where the National Assembly building is located.

The area has long been classified as a right-wing stronghold, largely due to the residents’ support of redevelopment.

The liberal victory there thus signals a shift in party preference in the nation’s capital, especially ahead of the December presidential race.

Shin’s lead was especially conspicuous as his rival Kwon is a key power player within the Saenuri Party, especially after he rose last year as confidant to party leader and presidential hopeful Rep. Park Geun-hye.

Though Kwon spent little time in his constituency in the early days of the campaign due to a party feud over candidate nominations, the right-wing camp offered him full support in an effort to safeguard the capital’s southwestern neighborhoods.

The left-wing camp, on the other hand, rejoiced over the initial results which came above expectations.

“We shall prudently wait for the final results as exit polls are just an index,” said an official of Shin’s camp.

“The polls nevertheless reflect the residents’ determination to deliver judgment upon the Lee Myung-bak government.”

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)