People Power Party Urges Democratic Party to 'Reflect on Past'

Following criticism from the Democratic Party over the People Power Party's (PPP) appointment of comedian Lee Hyuk-jae as a judge for its youth proportional representation selection audition, the PPP has fired back, urging the DP to reflect on its past.

The PPP held its 'Youth Public Audition for Provincial Councilors' on the 26th and 28th, with Lee participating in both selection rounds. After completing the first round of the finals, Lee stated, 'While all media outlets suggest the People Power Party is at a disadvantage in the upcoming local elections, I do not believe so. Instead of further fracturing, let's focus on achieving victory in the local elections under the leadership of Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk.' He did not offer a specific statement regarding the controversy surrounding himself.

Lee halted broadcasting activities in 2010 due to an assault incident involving a hostess at a salon. An attempt to return in 2011 was thwarted by overlapping controversies over unpaid wages and debt. In 2014, unpaid wage issues with employees resurfaced, and in 2024, he was listed by the National Tax Service as a high-amount, habitual tax defaulter. Following the '12.3 Emergency Decree' period, he also appeared as a speaker at rallies supporting former President Yoon Suk-yeol, advocating for the continuation of the 'Yoon-again' spirit.

The Democratic Party strongly criticized Lee's appointment as a judge. Party spokesperson Baek Seung-ah stated in a written briefing on the 28th, 'A person who caused social controversy due to a history of violence is being appointed as a nomination judge, and an individual who argues for the innocence of the '12.3 Yoon Suk-yeol martial law' is evaluating youth candidates.' She questioned, 'Can the public trust a party that is lenient on violence and silent on factual distortion?' Spokesperson Jeon Su-mi also criticized in a commentary the previous day, 'How can we allow someone who has faced controversies over assault and tax evasion, and who even condones emergency decrees, to evaluate the future of our youth?'

PPP Senior Spokesperson Park Seong-hoon told reporters at the National Assembly, 'He has had time for self-reflection and repentance.' He countered, 'Given that there are individuals with more problematic pasts active within the Democratic Party, we want to evaluate the sincerity of someone who is genuinely reflecting on their past and wishes to contribute to our party.'

Voices of doubt were also raised within the PPP regarding Lee's qualification as a judge. Rep. Jin Jong-oh posted on his Facebook, 'He is someone who was ostracized by viewers on broadcasts for being unfit.' He urged, 'This appointment is not helping candidates running in the local elections at all, so he should be immediately dismissed.' Rep. Jo Ji-yeon, who was set to serve as a judge alongside Lee, abruptly resigned from her position that day, leading to interpretations both inside and outside the party that it was a result of feeling pressured by the controversy surrounding Lee.