Comedian Lee Hyeok-jae, 52, who served as a judge for the People Power Party's "open audition for young proportional metropolitan council candidates" held ahead of the June 3 local elections, said, "Young people protesting on the asphalt are also our asset."
After finishing judging round one of the audition that day, Lee took the microphone and said, "At this hour on Saturday in Gwanghwamun, in Gangnam, MZ young people who worry about the future of the Republic of Korea are protesting." He added, "Young people who make every preparation and fight within the institutional framework to take on their counterparts are also our asset."
In Gwanghwamun that day, the conservative group Liberty Unification Party held a rally called the "Gwanghwamun national revolution convention." Supporters of former President Yoon Suk-yeol held a so-called "Yoon Again" protest near Gangnam Station.
Lee said, "All the media say the People Power Party is at a disadvantage in this local election, but I don't think so," arguing, "If the street movement of young people exerts its power, there is enough time left to turn it around."
He continued, "With victory in the local elections ahead, let's stop splintering any further," and said, "Even if each of us has slightly different aims within the frame of the People Power Party, I hope we can make a movement to focus only on winning the local elections under Representative Jang Dong-hyeok's leadership."
Lee has been embroiled in several controversies, including the assault of a female room-salon worker in 2010, unpaid wages to an employee in 2014, and being listed by the National Tax Service in 2024 as a habitual and high-amount tax delayer. After the Dec. 3 martial law, Lee took the stage as a speaker at rallies supporting former President Yoon Suk-yeol and called for carrying on the "Yoon Again" spirit. Once it became known that Lee would judge young candidates seeking People Power Party nominations, voices within the party called for his dismissal.
Baek Seung-a, a floor spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, said in a written briefing, "They have appointed as a nomination judge a person who caused social controversy with a record of violence, and a figure who argues 'not guilty' regarding the Dec. 3 Yoon Suk-yeol insurrection is evaluating young candidates." Baek added, "Can the public trust a party that is lenient on violence and silent on distortion of facts?"
Representative Jang said, "Those of you sitting here as judges have likely stood many times in life's tests and competitive arenas," adding, "Please judge objectively and fairly based on who best understands the direction the People Power Party is trying to go and who can go with the People Power Party." On Facebook, Jang wrote, "Right now, the People Power Party is moving down the path of becoming a true youth party where young people lead change and innovation."