JTBC YouTube Live Broadcast 'Jangre Man Yeouido' Appearance
Mentions Tension at Bokguk Restaurant, Calls It "Lack of Morality"
Apologizes on SNS, Saying "I Feel Sorry... It Was My Carelessness and Negligence"
Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok sparked controversy on the 20th during a live broadcast on JTBC's YouTube channel by insulting Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo, saying "this XX."
On the day, Lee appeared as a panelist on JTBC's YouTube channel 'Genreman Yeouido' live broadcast and was asked to name "someone who really shouldn't be in politics." The host did not mention any specific names but presented four options. Upon hearing the choices, Lee immediately chose "number 4" without hesitation, referring to "someone who loudly badmouths others at a bogukjip (blowfish soup restaurant) and gets told off with 'please be quiet'." This was a hint at Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo.
Previously, the two had a confrontation last month while dining separately at a restaurant in Yeouido. At that time, Ahn criticized Lee for using English with Innovation Committee Chairman In Yo-han, among other things, and Lee, overhearing this from the next room, reportedly shouted, "Ahn Cheol-soo, please be quiet." In the broadcast, Lee did not mention Ahn's name directly. However, he targeted Ahn by saying, "There is no morality. Knowing that the partitions in the restaurant where many people are eating are not properly installed, yet making loud noises so that people in the next room cannot have a conversation."
When the host said, "It seems like you didn't know he was next to you," Lee responded, "If he wasn't next to me, would it be okay to behave like that while eating?" and added, "It's just a lack of morality." When asked, "Was your voice that loud?" he replied, "Wasn't it buzzing?" The problematic insult came next. Lee imitated Ahn's voice, saying, "If it were Kim Moo-sung, he would say, 'Jun-seok did this yesterday,' but (Ahn) says, 'Lee Jun-seok...'" Then he said, "How can you eat with this going on, this XX." After the controversy over the "this XX" remark, Lee apologized on his SNS, saying, "I sincerely apologize to Assemblyman Ahn. It was my carelessness and fault," and added, "I will be more careful in future broadcasts."
Meanwhile, the two have clashed several times since competing in the 2016 Seoul Nowon-byeong National Assembly election. Recently, they experienced conflict following a 'swearing controversy' during a campaign rally supporting the Gangseo District Mayor by-election and the election defeat. The swearing controversy arose when a citizen cursed, saying, "XX, you idiot. Dog XX," and Ahn responded humorously, "You really are an XX, aren't you?"
At the time, Ahn explained that he turned the citizen's remark into humor, but Lee claimed that Ahn made such remarks targeting the opposing candidate and held the "swearing Ahn" responsible for the Gangseo District Mayor election defeat. In response, Ahn launched a signature campaign calling for Lee's expulsion, accusing him of spreading false information.
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