Lee Jun-seok: "The 'XX' insult to Ahn Cheol-soo was a mistake made in a fast tempo"

Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok explained the controversy over his use of profanity, calling Ahn Cheol-soo, a People Power Party lawmaker, "this XX" during a YouTube live broadcast, as "a mistake made in a fast tempo."

On the 21st, Lee said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' about the background of the profanity slip, "The tempo of the broadcast is fast, and although it is done at a broadcasting station, it is a broadcast that we try to do somewhat casually."

Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

The day before, Lee appeared as a panelist on JTBC's YouTube channel 'Jangreuman Yeouido' live broadcast, imitating Ahn's voice and saying, "(Ahn) says this, can you eat? You XX," which sparked controversy.

Lee said, "After that broadcast, neither the production team nor I realized it. Because the conversation was progressing quickly," adding, "While saying (the profanity), the other host came in and interrupted the speech, so only that part remained, and that's why even the production team did not recognize it." He meant that although he used profanity, he was not aware of it even while saying it.

Lee apologized through social media after the controversy. He said, "But while I was at another broadcast, it became a controversy. After it ended, I immediately posted on Facebook, 'I definitely admit this is my fault and apologize,'" adding, "I've been broadcasting for 12 years, and from my perspective, this was carelessness and negligence."

When asked by the host if he intended to apologize to Ahn, he said, "Of course, I intend to apologize," adding, "Although we bicker with Ahn, I have no intention of using inappropriate expressions. So I will apologize and make sure this does not happen again in the future."