Jang Dong-hyeok (56), leader of the People Power Party, attended the final round of the "open audition for proportional representation metropolitan councilor youth candidates" on the 28th ahead of the 6·3 local elections. Comedian Lee Hyuk-jae (52), whose removal was demanded within the party, still attended the event as a judge.
Attending the event that day, Jang said, "The lifeblood of an audition is fairness," adding, "Those of you sitting here as judges will have stood many times in life for various tests and various competitions."
Jang went on, "Please conduct the judging objectively and fairly based on criteria such as who best understands the direction the People Power Party is trying to go and can go with the People Power Party, and who can change the politics of the Republic of Korea and the future of the Republic of Korea."
Jang then watched part of the final and left the venue. In a Facebook post, Jang said, "Right now the People Power Party is moving toward becoming a true youth party in which young people lead change and innovation," adding, "In this local election, the People Power Party will win with 'the power of youth.'"
Lee took part as a judge in the main round of the "open audition for proportional representation metropolitan councilor youth candidates" held on the 26th. That prompted calls within the party that he was inappropriate as a judge and should be dismissed.
Lee has faced controversy over incidents including the 2010 assault of a female room salon worker, unpaid wages for employees in 2014, and being listed in 2024 by the National Tax Service as a high-amount, habitual delinquent taxpayer. After the 12·3 martial law declaration, Lee also appeared as a speaker at rallies supporting former President Yoon Suk-yeol, calling for the succession of the "Yoon again" spirit.