Representative Lee Jae-myung's approval rating has reached its lowest point, while major issues such as the relocation of key government ministries to Sejong City and changes in the role of US Forces Korea have been discussed.
The negative evaluation, in particular, being more than double the positive evaluation, indicates deepening public distrust in the current administration.
The host pointed out that an approval rating below 35% signifies entry into a lame duck period, and a drop below 30% could lead to a paralysis of government functions.
The host likened this trend to the KOSPI's decline, describing it as a 'downward curve'.
He said, 'The withdrawal of an indictment is entirely the domain of prosecutors; I have no intention of getting involved.'
This statement is interpreted as declaring the minister's principle not to directly intervene in prosecutorial investigations. It is expected to be an important criterion for setting the relationship between the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution in the future.
The primary reason for Lee Seok-yeon's dismissal was identified as his advice to Representative Lee Jae-myung to withdraw his Democratic Party membership for national unity and act as a president for all citizens. The host claimed that Representative Lee Jae-myung, saying 'it is right to achieve national unity,' stated, 'Since you promised to be a president for everyone, if you want to keep that promise, you should not hold Democratic Party membership but withdraw it and act as a president for the people.'
Criticism was raised that the current administration's appointment of conservative figures is merely a 'showing' and serves only to exploit them.
In a Han-gil Research survey, his approval rating in Seoul fell to 27.4%.
The host commented, 'The people are now realizing that Lee Jae-myung's past talk of inclusive politics and being a president for everyone was a lie,' pointing out the discrepancy between his past claims and reality.
Articles related to a mid-scale cabinet reshuffle are expected to flood out starting next week. If unqualified individuals are nominated as ministers, strong criticism regarding failed personnel verification is anticipated. One panelist predicted, 'Starting next week, many articles about this mid-scale cabinet reshuffle will emerge. There will be criticism, vetoes, and questions about the role of the personnel verification team regarding unqualified individuals appointed as ministers. Then, Lee Jae-myung's presidential office will begin to falter again.'
Some panelists predicted that the approval rating could fall into the 20% range next week due to these developments, warning that the crisis for Lee Jae-myung's presidential office could deepen.
If a member of parliament also serves as a minister, they will not receive their parliamentary salary but only their ministerial salary. It was explained that the ministerial salary is slightly higher, so they would receive the larger of the two amounts. The host explained, 'If a member of parliament becomes a minister, they don't get their parliamentary salary. They only get the ministerial salary. The ministerial salary is slightly higher than the parliamentary salary, so they receive the higher of the two.'
However, since aide salaries and office operating expenses are still provided while maintaining parliamentary membership, controversy may arise over holding both ministerial and parliamentary positions simultaneously.
It was argued that technological innovation does not reduce jobs but rather changes their nature and creates new occupations. The history of the Luddite movement was cited, where people worried that machines would eliminate jobs, but in reality, jobs increased severalfold. The host explained, 'Why did we have the Luddite movement, destroying machines during the Industrial Revolution? People thought all jobs would disappear. But statistics show jobs increased severalfold.'
The advancement of automation technology led to shorter working hours and the emergence of leisure culture, which also contributed to an improved quality of life. The message conveyed is to view the changes brought by technological innovation positively and adapt to the new work environment.
One panelist said, 'Since he himself called Representative Yong Hye-in the most excellent politician, he should appear on air and openly state why he thought so and if he still thinks so.'
This is interpreted as an appeal for Yoo Si-min to explain his political judgment by comparing his past remarks with Representative Yong Hye-in's current actions. It is an example of a politician's past remarks being re-examined in light of the current political situation.
One panelist said, 'When approval ratings dropped, all those veteran lawmakers who rose up like wildfire saying it was because of Jang Dong-hyuk, where are they now? They're all quiet.'
Recent opinion polls confirmed an increase in the People Power Party's approval rating in the Seoul metropolitan area and among those in their 20s and 30s. This can be interpreted as an example of political behavior where criticism of the leadership prevails during a decline in approval, but disappears during a rise.
The Presidential Office aims for relocation by 2029, and the National Assembly by 2033. One panelist stated, 'From the first half of next year, we will formally begin the relocation of government agencies to Sejong City. We will definitely keep our promise.'
This government announcement is also seen as an attempt to find a breakthrough in state administration and as part of 'achieving accomplishments' through large-scale construction. Analysis regarding administrative inefficiency and political motivations has been raised.
One panelist mentioned, 'There are swing voters in Chungcheong-do. They calculated to intentionally create a gap to win Lee Jae-myung's presidential votes back then. In fact, for efficiency, both going together would be best.'
The view was raised that they are attempting to regain power by using infrastructure completion as an excuse to capture key votes in the Chungcheong region. The opinion was also raised that for efficient administrative relocation, the relocation of ministries and the National Assembly should occur simultaneously.
Public trust in the police has hit rock bottom, with 70% of citizens stating they do not trust the police. Notably, among young people in their 20s and 30s, 80% responded that they do not trust the police. One panelist pointed out, 'Trust in the police has hit rock bottom. 70% of our citizens say they cannot trust the police. Especially young people in their 20s and 30s, 80% say they cannot trust the police.'
Amid this distrust, sales of self-defense products are surging, highlighting heightened public safety concerns. The delay in appointing a new police chief for 21 months is also criticized for contributing to a leadership vacuum within the police organization and a decline in trust.
One panelist pointed out, 'The Bank of Korea has deleted the statistical data providing the international ranking of foreign reserves. They secretly made it private after 25 years.'
Some suspect that this is an attempt to conceal the continuously decreasing foreign reserves amidst efforts to defend the exchange rate. This issue is expected to be confirmed by requesting data submission during future parliamentary audits. The non-disclosure of statistics could heighten concerns about the transparency and stability of the foreign exchange market.
This is closely related to the deployment of 'multi-domain units,' a US-led integrated intelligence and reconnaissance asset, to Korea. One panelist explained, 'The nature of USFK, which has been in a passive position of defending North Korean forces, should now be seen as officially confirmed by this article to manage the entire first and second island chains, so to speak, against China.'
The deployment of multi-domain units to Korea also raises the possibility that the US-Japan alliance will take priority, given the weakened ROK-US combined forces. This issue is considered to have significant implications for the security environment on the Korean Peninsula and international relations in Northeast Asia.
One panelist stated, 'Wartime operational control is gone. It's a clear signal. Yes. The multi-domain unit has to be stationed on the Korean Peninsula because the concerted offensive from North Korea, China, and Russia is so serious right now, and it's not the time to quibble over wartime operational control with you, Republic of Korea. It should be seen as a clear signal.'
Concerns were also raised that with existing dispersed intelligence assets being integrated through the multi-domain unit, the priority of information sharing with South Korea might decrease. Furthermore, the limitation of GSOMIA (General Security of Military Information Agreement), the legal basis for information sharing, not providing real-time information sharing capabilities like direct cable, was also mentioned.
One panelist said, 'I hope candidate Kang Shin-chul shows the fearlessness of a Military Academy graduate. Although Candidate Kang might psychologically agree with the Lee Jae-myung administration's security views or North Korea policy, Military Academy graduates have their seniors' and juniors' eyes on them.'
This reflects the expectation that Kang should balance political judgment with military conviction. In particular, it was emphasized that protecting the military's political neutrality and the essential values of national defense is crucial.
Opinions were also presented, demanding that he prioritize military honor and national security rather than uncritically following the administration's stance.
Interest is focused on how Candidate Kang will meet these expectations during the upcoming confirmation hearing.
Yang Il-guk stated, 'There has been an analysis that he accompanies Kim Ju-ae to be safe from assassin drones or UAVs. I find that quite convincing.'
This is interpreted as leveraging the psychological factor that leaders accompanied by young children are not attacked. Furthermore, the difficulty for a female successor to gain legitimacy in North Korean society, which has strong Confucian traditions, also supports this analysis.
He expressed skepticism about Kim Ju-ae's succession theory, mentioning that Kim Jong-un himself, being an illegitimate son and the third child, had weak legitimacy.
He analyzed that Kim Yo-jong is likely Kim Jong-un's shadow and true power, serving as a key advisor. He also refuted the National Intelligence Service's report on Kim Ju-ae's succession as unrealistic, interpreting Kim Ju-ae's appearance as reflecting complex political dynamics within North Korea.
Yang Il-guk quoted Dolly Parton as saying, 'I never talked about politics in official settings. If I received an award from President Biden or President Trump, my fans who don't support that president would be hurt.'
This was seen as a contrast to some domestic artists who closely aligned with the regime and engaged in political activities. Comparing it to the domestic reality where artists' influence declines with the fall of the regime, the importance of artists' political neutrality was emphasized.
It was suggested that cultural artists, rather than relying on specific political forces, are more likely to achieve long-term success by pursuing the intrinsic value of art and appealing to diverse fan bases.
A cautionary note was also raised regarding the negative consequences when art is used as a political tool.
Answers come from the transcript, with the exact spot cited.
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