After former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo announced his retirement from politics following his defeat in the People Power Party's presidential primary, Lee Seong-bae, a former MBC announcer who served as the spokesperson for Hong's campaign, shared his thoughts.
On the 2nd, Lee posted on his Instagram account, "Lee Seong-bae, spokesperson for Hong Joon-pyo, preparing to start again at the end of that road."
Lee stated, "There is someone who allowed me, who had been observing politics from a distance, to stand in the midst of it. That is candidate Hong Joon-pyo. And to all the countless young people and supporters who ran alongside him. It is an infinite honor and an unforgettable responsibility for me to have been able to accompany him on his final challenge, his last mission. And the fact that I was the last spokesperson on that journey is something I will always cherish."
He continued, "The time I spent as a spokesperson in the campaign was a time when I learned the weight of politics, the responsibility of words, and the complexity of relationships with my whole being. Above all, I was able to deeply engrave in my heart the hope that politics, where sincerity comes before any words, is possible."
He added, "Although this primary has come to a halt here, the memories, people, and spirit I shared under the name 'spokesperson for Hong Joon-pyo' will remain a precious asset at the beginning of my political life. I will quietly, yet firmly, carry on the spirit of the candidate who sought to rebuild conservatism more fiercely than anyone else."
Lee Seong-bae joined MBC as a public announcer in 2008 and has worked on various programs such as 'MBC Noon News', 'Live Today Morning', and 'MBC Evening News'. After announcing his departure from MBC on the 14th of last month, he joined Hong Joon-pyo's campaign, drawing attention. However, on the 29th of last month, Hong announced his retirement from politics after being eliminated from the presidential primary, and Lee was seen shedding tears at the press conference.
Below is the full text posted by Lee Seong-bae
[Lee Seong-bae, spokesperson for Hong Joon-pyo, preparing to start again at the end of that road]
There is someone who allowed me, who had been observing politics from a distance, to stand in the midst of it. That is candidate Hong Joon-pyo. And to all the countless young people and supporters who ran alongside him.
It is an infinite honor and an unforgettable responsibility for me to have been able to accompany him on his final challenge, his last mission. The time I spent as a spokesperson in the campaign was a time when I learned the weight of politics, the responsibility of words, and the complexity of relationships with my whole being.
Above all, I was able to deeply engrave in my heart the hope that politics, where sincerity comes before any words, is possible. Although this primary has come to a halt here, the memories, people, and spirit I shared under the name 'spokesperson for Hong Joon-pyo' will remain a precious asset at the beginning of my political life.
I will quietly, yet firmly, carry on the spirit of the candidate who sought to rebuild conservatism more fiercely than anyone else. The potential of the youth he believed in, and the direction of politics that moves through structure rather than words. Now, I will also take on that intention and think about the next steps, and I will not stop questioning myself today.
