(OSEN)

Actress Lee Young-ae will be judging this year’s Miss Korea pageant as a member of the panel, a local news outlet reported Thursday.

According to local news reports citing “multiple” officials working on the pageant, Lee will be one of the judges for the final on Friday.

The Miss Korea pageant began in 1957, and has been held on a regular basis despite the event no longer being broadcast by terrestrial broadcasters.

Although the pageant has been at the center of controversy, with criticisms including the argument that it objectifies women, winners of the event have gone on to become some of the biggest names in Korean entertainment.

Celebrities who launched their careers after winning the contest include Go Hyun-jung, Kim Sa-rang and Lee Ha-nui.

By Choi Hee-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)