Ju Jin-woo Criticizes Special Prosecutor Appointment and Lee Jae-myung's Foreign Policy

This implies an expectation that Special Prosecutor Lee would conduct an objective investigation without favoring any political camp. However, concerns about the prosecutor's neutrality were also raised, with the view that checks are needed to ensure a fair investigation.

He warned that such connections could affect the fairness of the investigation. He stressed that continuous monitoring and checks are needed to secure the prosecutor's neutrality, and that the public should closely watch the investigation's progress.

Ju Jin-woo stressed the importance of appointing deputy special prosecutors, explaining that once they are appointed the investigation lineup is completed and its direction becomes clear. He expressed concern that if deputy appointments are not handled properly, the investigation may not proceed correctly or may be distorted. He added that the public should closely examine the deputy appointment process, as it can reveal whether the investigation is sincere.

He interpreted this as political contact beyond simple socializing. He raised suspicion that the golf gatherings may have been part of presidential election strategy and argued that further analysis of their background is needed.

Ju Jin-woo stressed that passing a constitutional amendment is realistically very difficult. Even if the amendment were passed by persuading People Power Party lawmakers, he explained, it would still face the final hurdle of a majority in a national referendum, which would not be easy to clear. He suggested that amendment requires not only parliamentary consent but also broad public consensus, and that pushing it forcefully could backfire.

He emphasized that before discussing amendment, adherence to the spirit and provisions of the existing constitution should come first. He raised a fundamental question about whether those who do not even keep the current constitution could be expected to uphold an amended one.

He expressed concern about the impact of such remarks on the current political situation and cited it as an example of power dynamics.

He suggested that Lee's claims may be detached from realistic diplomatic conditions or could even have a negative effect on the US-ROK alliance. He expressed concern about the security implications of Trump's response for Korea.

He noted that such a direct refusal can come across as dismissive or mocking and is highly inappropriate in diplomatic relations. He stressed that in dealings with allies, careful word choice is essential, and that such a remark could provoke diplomatic friction.

He described this as a dangerous idea that could invite a security crisis, and interpreted it as Lee making a political move. He stressed the importance of the joint exercises and expressed concern about the negative impact scaling them back would have on Korea's security.

Ju Jin-woo's issue analysis argued that transferring wartime operational control could actually harm Korea's security. He explained that the transfer would weaken the rationale for the nearly cost-free or low-cost sharing of US strategic assets, since the US still holds the control and is not acting alone in any case, so Korea would gain no security benefit from taking it back. He warned that losing the opportunity to use US strategic assets would have a negative impact on Korea's security.

Because Korea's capacity to independently develop and produce weapons is limited, he argued, increased defense spending would largely translate into overseas weapons purchases. Given Korea's heavy dependence on US military technology and weapons, he analyzed this as a move to further strengthen military ties with the US.

He argued that the exercises are a core element of the alliance, and cutting them would weaken the alliance and ultimately provide a rationale for withdrawing US troops. He emphasized that this is what North Korea and China strongly desire and would pose a serious threat to Korea's security.

Ju Jin-woo's issue analysis reconstructed a situation in which former President Trump asked Korea to cooperate in military operations in Iran and criticized Korea for not appreciating the 39,000 US troops protecting it from North Korea. This shows Trump judged that Korea was not fulfilling its duties as an ally. He expressed dissatisfaction with Korea's refusal to cooperate in what he called a 'very easy military operation,' suggesting this could lead to strong pressure such as shifting security costs onto Korea. He analyzed that Lee Jae-myung's 'No thanks' remark, made while refusing Trump's demand, could further deepen diplomatic friction.

Korea's independent reconnaissance assets alone, he noted, make it difficult to accurately identify the types and models of North Korean ballistic missiles. This could lead to weaker capacity to respond to North Korean threats, and he stressed that a rift in the US-ROK alliance could become a real security threat.

He analyzed that Lee Jae-myung's foreign policy direction and former President Trump's critical stance are combining to drive US-ROK relations toward their worst state. He stressed that this is a serious matter that goes beyond a simple diplomatic friction and could severely damage Korea's national standing and security.