Lee Jong-won Reveals Recording: "Choo Mi-ae's Candidacy Was a Conspiracy with Kim Eo-jun and Jeong Cheong-rae"

New 탐사 (New Explorers) released an audio recording of Lee Jong-won, claiming that former Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's presidential primary candidacy was a highly orchestrated political manipulation. In the recording, Lee Jong-won stated, "It was a sophisticated political manipulation carried out with Kim Eo-jun and Jeong Cheong-rae," defining Choo Mi-ae's candidacy as planned in collusion with them.

The core of the allegations related to candidate Kim Seung-won is whether a recording was manipulated. Reporter Heo Kyung-hye revealed that a recording confirmed broker Yang instructing Kim Gang-lip, then head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, to submit a report through the Blue House. However, Kim Seung-won's side explained it as merely conveying a civil complaint, refuting that the media reported the broker's exaggerated recording without verification. The controversy focuses on whether the broker's statements were exaggerated and if the media's reporting stance was appropriate.

Reporter Kang Jin-gu pointed out that while there was no mention of the Blue House in the actual call between candidate Kim Seung-won and broker Yang, Yang's subsequent message to a pharmaceutical company CEO mentioned a 'call with the Blue House's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety head.' He strongly criticized some media outlets, including Hankyoreh, for quoting these exaggerated statements from the broker without verification, labeling it 'clickbait reporting.' This raises questions about journalistic ethics and the duty of fact-checking.

Allegations have been raised regarding former Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon's method of editing recordings. Reporter Heo Kyung-hye claimed that Han Dong-hoon might have deleted and rearranged parts of Yang Su-jin's statements unfavorable to him, portraying a simple request for status updates as a solicitation. This is also the background behind the nickname 'Scrap Han Dong-hoon' through a Mindlle report, and he is criticized for attempting to convey distorted facts by cherry-picking specific parts of the transcript rather than the overall context.

Reporter Kang Jin-gu revealed that the actual solicitation was not a direct request to the head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, but rather a request to confirm the reason for delays in clinical trial approval. He added that at the time, the prosecution's investigation results made it difficult to recognize quid pro quo, leading them to forgo indictment due to concerns of acquittal. This suggests that the 'solicitation' allegations raised by former Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon might have been exaggerated and far from the true nature of the incident.

Lee Jong-won mentioned that Kim Eo-jun's demand for Lee Jae-myung, the current President, to explicitly state no intention for re-election, is perceived by the ruling party as the same framework as the People Power Party's constitutional amendment offensive. New 탐사 (New Explorers) claimed that Kim Eo-jun is trying to destabilize President Lee Jae-myung for the Rebuilding Korea Party's next presidential scenario, emphasizing that the difference in views between the ruling party and Kim Eo-jun on constitutional amendments is not merely a policy disagreement.

The Rebuilding Korea Party criticized the maintenance of the existing 2,292 prosecutor positions despite the abolition of prosecutors' investigative duties, demanding a reduction in staff. They argued that if investigative duties are abolished, the staffing should be reduced by at least one-third. In response, New 탐사 (New Explorers) countered that reducing prosecutor staffing is a simplistic argument given the increased importance of indictment and record review tasks, and demonstrates a lack of understanding of the nature of the work. This leads to a debate surrounding the direction of prosecutorial reform and the effectiveness of organizational restructuring.

Contrary to News Factory's report that the President desired a merger, Hong Ihk-pyo, then Chief Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs, clarified that while the President's will was for integration, the method and procedures of the merger were matters for the party to decide. New 탐사 (New Explorers) criticized News Factory's report as exaggerated and factually distorted. This points to a discrepancy between the Blue House's stance and News Factory's reporting, leaving room for political interpretation.

Chief Presidential Secretary Hong Ihk-pyo pointed out that aggressive terms used within the faction, such as 'Moon-pa-Teol-bo' (Moon Faction - Hairy Guy), are not 'the language of comrades or family.' When the host raised issues with certain YouTube channels within the faction, Secretary Hong requested restraint from both sides, stating that the rampant use of such expressions is causing difficulties for the Democratic Party and the Lee Jae-myung administration.

Reporter Kang Jin-gu pointed out that Kim Eo-jun and Jo Kuk's framing of themselves as victims and the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction as perpetrators is a fundamental obstacle to the integration of the democratic-progressive camp. This has led to factual errors by figures like Kim Eo-jun and Yoo Si-min, and controversy over the demonization of President Lee Jae-myung, showing deepening mutual distrust within the faction.

While the re-election constitutional amendment rumor is not an official discussion, the Jo Kuk side and Kim Eo-jun are attempting to shape the next presidential race by having President Lee Jae-myung explicitly state he will not seek re-election. Reporter Kang Jin-gu analyzed that using the card of not seeking re-election by drawing the People Power Party into constitutional amendment discussions is highly effective. This is interpreted as a political card used to fully engage the People Power Party in constitutional amendment discussions, preventing them from backing out. Ultimately, the re-election constitutional amendment rumor is not merely a matter of the amendment itself but a highly political move linked to the next presidential race.

Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok stated that Jo Kuk's demand for an apology was unheard of and that there was no reason to apologize. He clarified that a merger is not currently a prerequisite and that it is a matter entrusted to relevant institutions, so he is not commenting on it at all. Kim Min-seok's remarks show that the Democratic Party is maintaining a cautious stance on merging with the Rebuilding Korea Party and emphasized that the Democratic Party has begun direct communication through its own channel, 'Minty,' rather than News Factory.

Former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil pointed out that Jo Kuk's statements were ill-timed and out of place during urgent situations like impeachment. He emphasized that it was a time to focus on fighting against unjust indictments by the prosecution and passing special prosecutor bills. Song Young-gil criticized Jo Kuk's lack of political sensibility, despite understanding his sincerity, and argued that the gravity of the current situation must be recognized.

Reporter Kang Jin-gu analyzed that the Rebuilding Korea Party, with 12 seats, is trying to lead a merger to secure its stake, and the apology demand is also a thoroughly calculated political maneuver. He stated that the Democratic Party has discerned these intentions and is adhering to the principle of absorption-style mergers. This suggests that the Rebuilding Korea Party is making strategic moves to strengthen its political position through a merger with the Democratic Party.

The panelist questioned former Minister Han Dong-hoon's method of disclosing investigation materials he acquired as Justice Minister, criticizing it as being at the level of a 'private investigator.' They pointed out that such actions could constitute criminal acts, including violations of the Personal Information Protection Act and the offense of publicizing facts from an investigation. They argued that his use of materials as a National Assembly member was inappropriate and could have political manipulation intentions.

An analysis suggests that former Minister Han Dong-hoon's disclosure of recordings will ultimately boomerang back to harm him. The panelist predicted that Han Dong-hoon's offensive will rapidly turn into a defensive, and New 탐사 (New Explorers) announced a broadcast analyzing the relevant recordings. This suggests that the responses from individuals appearing in the recordings, such as Song Young-gil and Kim Min-seok, could unfavorably affect Han Dong-hoon, and evaluations of Han Dong-hoon's seemingly unconcerned demeanor followed.

The panelist pointed out that despite a 48% growth in companies' total operating profits, the money workers took home in monthly wages increased by only 8%. This reveals a structural limitation where corporate growth does not translate into increased real income for workers. The problem of deepening income inequality arises as the fruits of growth are not felt as household income.

The 'Kye-guk-bon Activity Log' from March 2021 to March 2022 was disclosed. This log explicitly states the strategy: 'Choo Mi-ae was brought in to save Lee Jae-myung.' Reporter Heo Kyung-hye revealed for the first time that Choo Mi-ae's appearance was originally an 'operation,' and confirmed that the contents of the recording and the log were consistent.

Lee Jong-won mentioned why former Minister Choo Mi-ae announced her candidacy at Kye-guk-bon, admitting through his audio recording that he, Jeong Cheong-rae, and Kim Eo-jun conspired with Choo Mi-ae on that operation. He stated, "Why would Choo Mi-ae announce her candidacy at Kye-guk-bon? Honestly, Jeong Cheong-rae, Eo-jun hyung, and I talked to Choo Mi-ae at that time, and that's how it happened." Furthermore, Lee Jong-won claimed that Choo Mi-ae was also aware of this operation, exposing the specific details of their conspiracy.

New 탐사 (New Explorers) announced that they have obtained the original recording that former Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon allegedly 'cut' and will release it in a broadcast tomorrow at 2 PM. Reporter Heo Kyung-hye asked, "Will the original recording that Han Dong-hoon cut, which we obtained, be released on the data channel tomorrow at 2 PM?" This is expected to bring a new turn to the controversy surrounding Han Dong-hoon.