Broadcaster Lee Hyuk-jae, selected as a judge for the People Power Party's youth talent search audition, gave a position on the questions over his eligibility due to his past large tax delinquency and drunken assault.
On the 26th, at the finals venue of the open audition for metropolitan councilor youth held at the central party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Lee Hyuk-jae shared his thoughts with party members and participants.
Recalling his 30s when he enjoyed the public's love, Lee referenced his past when he lost all his glory due to a single wrong judgment and mistake.
He said, "I was not cowardly. As a citizen of a country governed by the rule of law, I fulfilled my legal responsibility by paying fines," and added, "As an entertainer who lived on the public's love, I took harsh punishment and have spent the past 10-plus years in self-reflection with humility."
He cited his family as the driving force that helped him endure the painful times. Lee said, "Without resenting their father's wrongdoing and serving as a solid support, my two sons have now become young men in their 20s who have completed their military duty," and emphasized, "I want to be a father who is not ashamed before my sons and the young people of this land."
He also said, "Anyone can make mistakes, but not everyone can rise again after them," adding, "Korea must be a healthy country that can give those who have experienced failure another chance."
Lee said, "The joy of success and the agony of desperate failure that I have experienced, and the know-how to overcome them, are an asset more valuable than any flashy credentials," adding, "I will pour all my experience into this audition."
Regarding criticism directed at him, he said, "I will accept it humbly. I will live with even more humility," and urged, "I hope today's cameras will not be on me but on the burning eyes of the young people who prepared this event."
Lee told young politicians not to fear failure. Quoting the global sports brand Nike's slogan, "Just Do It," he advised, "Don't be buried in grand plans; do what you can do now."
Lee suspended his broadcasting activities in 2010 over an assault case involving a bar employee. In Dec. 2024, he was also listed among high-amount tax delinquents for failing to pay more than 200 million won in taxes.