Hong Junpyo Retires Just Two Weeks After Leaving MBC... Lee Seongbae Calls It "An Unforgettable Responsibility"

At a Crossroads Just Two Weeks After Entering Politics
"Hong Junpyo, the Person Who Brought Me to the Center of Politics"

Seongbae Lee, the former spokesperson who left MBC after 17 years and joined the presidential campaign of People Power Party candidate Hong Junpyo, has shared his thoughts on Hong's retirement from politics.

On May 2, Lee posted on his social networking service (SNS) account under the title "Seongbae Lee, Spokesperson for Hong Junpyo: Preparing for a New Beginning at the End of This Journey," writing, "It is an immense honor and an unforgettable responsibility for me to have been the final spokesperson in Hong's (political) journey."

Former MBC announcer Seongbae Lee, who joined Hong Junpyo's campaign, shared his thoughts on former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo's retirement from politics. Seongbae Lee's Instagram

He described Hong as "the person who enabled me, someone who used to observe politics from afar, to stand at the very center of it," and added, "It was an honor to be by his side during his final challenge and his last calling."

He continued, "The time I spent as a spokesperson in the campaign was a period during which I learned, with my whole being, the weight of politics, the responsibility of words, and the complexity of relationships," and added, "Above all, I was able to deeply engrave in my heart the hope that a politics where sincerity comes before any words is possible."

He also said, "Although this primary has come to an end here, the memories, people, and spirit I shared under the name 'Hong Junpyo's spokesperson' will remain a precious asset at the beginning of my political life." He added, "I will quietly but firmly carry on the spirit of the candidate who strove more than anyone to rebuild conservatism," and continued, "The potential of youth that he believed in, and the direction of politics that moves through structure rather than words?now, I too will inherit that will and begin to contemplate and design what comes next."

Lee joined MBC in 2008 and worked as an announcer for 17 years. On April 14, he announced his resignation and joined Hong's campaign, taking his first step into politics. However, just two weeks later, with Hong announcing his defeat in the presidential primary and his intention to retire from politics, uncertainty grew regarding Lee's own future.