Presidential front-runner Lee Myung-bak said Wednesday that the nation needs genius artists like the late video artist Nam June Paik, declaring that the cultural contents industry will grow in importance in the future.

He made the remark at a KBS exhibition of Paik's works, adding that despite the native artistic skills of the Korean people, the atmosphere has been lacking for them to show their creativity.

The Grand National Party candidate said that Paik's works were ahead of his time and will help Korea's young generation develop their creativity and originality.

Lee spent Wednesday afternoon preparing for the first televised presidential candidate debate to be held Thursday.