Disgraced lawmaker seeks singing debut

By Park Si-soo

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Independent lawmaker Kang Yong-seok, whose political fame has severely been tarnished by several unsavory scandals, is trying to make his debut as a singer on a popular talent show.

The first-term lawmaker's application to Superstar K4 is the latest in a string of "bizarre" activities, raising speculation that his attempt to appear on the popular show among teenagers and people in their 20s is to help restore his image and defend his parliamentary seat in the upcoming elections.

Kang applied for the show Thursday through its website with a written self-introduction, some photos and a video clip of him singing attached. He is waiting for the results of the program's first screening based on the three submitted items.

In the self-introduction, the Harvard Law School graduate said becoming a singer was a "long-cherished dream". "Would my dream come true?" he said. "Even if my dream will not come true, I think the event will make the election like a festival".

The three-minute footage shows the lawmaker eagerly singing "This is the moment", from popular musical "Jekyll and Hyde" at a karaoke. It is the lawmaker's favorite song which he sang on some TV programs. Some Internet viewers said they were impressed by his powerful voice.

Kang was expelled from the ruling Grand National Party (now Saenuri Party) in July last year for sexist remarks he made about female TV news anchors and was given a suspended jail term.

The politician became a target of public criticism in November after he filed a defamation suit against comedian Choi Hyo-jong for lampooning legislators in a popular comedy show.

The conservative lawmaker raised doubts over the integrity of liberal-minded Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon last month, alleging Park's son dodged mandatory military service by manipulating medical records. All able-bodied South Korean men aged over 18 are required to fulfill military service for nearly two years. After a round of media hype his allegation was confirmed to be groundless.