Democratic Party TV Launches, Vows Head-on Battle with Kim Eo-jun's News Factory…Re-examining Pro-Japanese Acts of Emperor Gojong's Physician Ahn Sang-ho

The General Affairs Unit of Shincheonji Church of Jesus announced a public apology regarding party membership at a meeting of 12 tribal leaders. Reporter Kang Jin-gu quoted the statement "Shincheonji Church of Jesus's apology for party membership" and stated that it was unusual for the acting head of Shincheonji's General Affairs to personally deliver the message. This apology is analyzed as being conscious of external scrutiny ahead of Chairman Lee Man-hee's bail hearing.

New Tam-sa stated that it would continue its investigation into the alleged collusion between the Democratic Party and Shincheonji without political judgment. Reporter Kang Jin-gu said, "We, New Tam-sa, have no intention of making political judgments," and pointed out that despite party leader Kim Min-seok emphasizing a principled stance on the Shincheonji issue, the allegations of Shincheonji members joining as Democratic Party membership are a clear matter. New Tam-sa plans to continuously track this issue.

The Joint Investigation Headquarters has launched an investigation into allegations of Shincheonji's intervention in the Democratic Party primary, and is currently summoning and questioning high-ranking victims from the Gyeonggi North organization, PD Kim Eun-do revealed. Suspicions have been raised that the Simon Tribe attempted to register as party members to support the primary, and there are also indications that some candidates first requested support from Shincheonji. The Joint Investigation Headquarters is currently verifying the facts of these allegations.

Reporter Kang Jin-gu stated that a debate over the verification of internal lists, such as the membership register, occurred during his dispute with critics regarding the Shincheonji-related allegations. Pro-Shincheonji YouTubers demanded physical evidence, questioning whether reports that Mr. Kim Do-sam had been a Shincheonji follower since before 2006 were based on verifiable evidence, such as membership registers or internal lists. The characteristic that Shincheonji's internal membership register allows for easy record deletion was raised, leading to claims that it is difficult to confirm actual membership. This has intensified the controversy surrounding the credibility of the reports.

Internal party conflict is intensifying over the process of nominating Supreme Council members. One panelist argued that the nomination of Supreme Council members is an exclusive right of the party leader, stating, "It's unreasonable to say that there should naturally be prior consultation with the Supreme Council." However, counterarguments that Supreme Council approval is necessary have led to a dispute over procedural legitimacy.

The lack of procedural objections during the past merger declaration was pointed out. A panelist stated, "I have never seen anyone criticize the party leader's unilateral declaration of a merger without prior consultation with the three Supreme Council members as being against proper procedure," criticizing the inadequate response of then-Supreme Council members such as Lee Seong-yoon. This is drawing attention in comparison to the current internal party procedural disputes.

Party leader Kim Min-seok strongly refuted recent discussions within the party about the president's withdrawal from the party, characterizing it as "based on ignorance or misunderstanding of the constitution." He stated, "Recent discussions within the party, such as complete separation of party and government or the president's party withdrawal in the first year of their term, are based on ignorance or misunderstanding of the constitution," emphasizing the importance of party-government unity and responsible politics based on Party Constitution Article 77. Party leader Kim's remarks are interpreted as an attempt to quell internal controversy early and strengthen party solidarity.

The launch of Democratic Party TV is expected to bring significant changes to the YouTube political landscape. Democratic Party TV is scheduled at the same time as News Factory, signaling a direct confrontation. A panelist criticized, "News Factory, especially in its coverage of news within the Democratic Party, has been too biased. For example, when there's an issue like prosecutorial reform, they only invite lawmakers like Kim Yong-min, Park Eun-jung, and Lee Ji-eun, and broadcast almost as if brainwashing them every morning," emphasizing the need for balanced broadcasting. Building both trust and entertainment will be key for Democratic Party TV.

Concerns have been raised that Democratic Party TV could become a 'Democratic Party version of KTV.' One panelist said, "It could become a Democratic Party version of KTV. Yes. If it goes that way, I think it will fail," expressing both anticipation that it will be a strong rival to the existing News Factory and internal caution that it will fail if it becomes a government-controlled broadcast. Democratic Party TV is also seen as a channel for realizing the party leader's promise of linguistic and cultural innovation.

The launch of Democratic Party TV raises the possibility of reduced inflow of high-quality information to News Factory. A panelist predicted, "High-quality information will not gather at News Factory. If people appearing on News Factory are seen as 'pro-Chung-rae,' and such a perception is implicitly formed, then that channel will increasingly become isolated as a pro-Chung-rae, pro-Chung channel." The analysis is that as high-ranking officials avoid appearing on News Factory and those with expertise and high-quality information seek other channels, Kim Eo-jun's News Factory faces a very high risk of becoming isolated as a 'pro-Chung channel'.

With the passage of the National Assembly Act amendment, the fast track period has been drastically shortened from the previous 330 days to 90 days. A panelist explained, "With the passage of this amendment, a conclusion will be reached in 90 days. 60 days for the standing committee, 30 days for the Judiciary Committee. If the deadline passes, it will be automatically put to a vote next." This amendment, passed with 153 votes in favor and 81 against out of 324 members present, establishes a system of 60 days for standing committees and 30 days for the Judiciary Committee.

Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's unilateral actions in the process of recommending Supreme Court justices are escalating into controversy over infringement of national sovereignty and abuse of power. A panelist strongly criticized, "It is natural that the power to decide who to appoint as a Supreme Court justice should be exercised by the elected authority, entrusted by the people. This is not about separation of powers; this is abuse of power." Chief Justice Cho is being criticized for disregarding the customary practice of prior consultation with the President and unilaterally pushing through appointments, despite facing allegations of perjury and potential conflicts of interest during his confirmation hearing.

Party leader Kim Min-seok mentioned a phased approach regarding the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, stating, "We are qualified for impeachment, but we need time to inform the public. So, I think it's not bad to take more time to inform the public, as we haven't adequately done so yet." He explained that while the grounds for impeachment exist, more time is needed to raise public awareness, and he ordered the display of banners nationwide. This is interpreted as a political consideration for party unity.

Party leader Kim Min-seok mentioned pursuing the impeachment and suspension of lawmaker Lee Jin-sook, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission. Kim stated, "Violating the spirit of the Constitution is grounds for expulsion. And since a bill has been submitted to suspend a lawmaker's qualifications with the approval of a majority of the National Assembly members, this law must be passed to suspend lawmaker Lee Jin-sook's qualifications." He cited the violation of the constitutional spirit as grounds, even mentioning expulsion, and emphasized that the bill to suspend qualifications with majority approval from the National Assembly must be passed.

Administrative procedures played an important role in the installation of floral wreaths in front of the National Assembly. Ricky stated, "There are procedures required to install floral wreaths, and here at the National Assembly, only those who have filed an assembly report are allowed to install wreaths. Because I had an assembly report, I was able to bring in the wreaths." Initially, there was friction with the police, but the wreaths were legally installed through the assembly report. The subsequent removal of the wreaths was decided due to rain forecasts and safety concerns.

The pro-Japanese activities of Ahn Sang-ho, Emperor Gojong's physician, have been revealed, drawing attention to his contrasting path with independence activist Kim Ik-nam. Bae Ki-seong stated, "He was the first government-sponsored student from the Korean Empire at Tokyo Jikei Medical School. He and fellow student Kim Ik-nam both studied for exactly three years and lived completely contrasting lives. Kim Ik returned to the Korean Empire, but Ahn Sang-ho stayed in Tokyo for nine years." Ahn Sang-ho was the first government-sponsored student from the Korean Empire, but unlike Kim Ik-nam who returned and dedicated himself as a military doctor at the Shinheung Military Academy, Ahn Sang-ho remained in Japan for nine years, leaving behind pro-Japanese acts. His actions are evaluated as a typical example of a pro-Japanese, anti-nationalist collaborator.

Ahn Sang-ho engaged in pro-Japanese and anti-nationalist activities as a key council member of the 'Daejeong Sil-eop Chinmokhoe,' a prominent pro-Japanese organization. Reporter Kang Jin-gu explained, "The Daejeong Sil-eop Chinmokhoe was a core human network of pro-Japanese aristocrats, large landowners, capitalists, and anti-nationalist collaborators who advocated for the unchallenged rule of the Japanese Governor-General of Korea, propagated the impossibility of self-reliant independence, and urged submission to the rule of the Japanese Empire." Ahn Sang-ho was one of 16 council members in this organization, which included pro-Japanese figures such as Lee Wan-yong as an advisor and Min Yeong-gi as chairman, actively advocating for the Japanese Governor-General's rule. This shows that Ahn Sang-ho was not merely an individual acting pro-Japanese but an important member of an organized pro-Japanese network.

Ahn Sang-ho's family was featured in Maeil Sinbo as a 'model family of internal unity,' glorifying their pro-Japanese actions. Reporter Kang Jin-gu quoted the article, saying, "A model family of internal unity, the photo in the article was provided by the National Museum of Korea to Seoul, shows no Korean clothes at all, raising children like a Japanese family. They rarely associate with Koreans, so there are no inconveniences. This is a blessing in disguise." The article stated that Ahn Sang-ho's family did not speak Korean at all and only used Japanese, enforcing a thoroughly Japanese lifestyle. This is analyzed as an attempt at identity laundering for Ahn Sang-ho, Emperor Gojong's physician, to distance himself from allegations of spreading or being involved in the theory that Emperor Gojong was poisoned.

Court records confirming Ahn Sang-ho extorted land by threatening an 80-year-old mother were found in a 1923 Joseon Ilbo article. Reporter Kang Jin-gu quoted the article: "A Joseon Ilbo article from December 28, 1923, states that the land in Papyeong-myeon, Paju-gun, Gyeonggi Province, originally belonged to the plaintiff. Nine years prior, when the plaintiff was not at home, Park Seung-hak's elderly mother was coerced into a fabricated sale of the land, completing the ownership preservation certificate process in Ahn Sang-ho's name." This provides concrete evidence that Ahn Sang-ho coerced an 80-year-old mother into a fabricated land sale to secure a propitious site, completing the ownership preservation certificate process. Ahn Sang-ho later received compensation from the U.S. military for the expropriated land and relocated to Anyang.

Controversy erupted when Anyang City's blog published incorrect information glorifying Ahn Sang-ho as an independence activist. Reporter Kang Jin-gu quoted the problematic description: "On the Anyang City blog, Mr. Ahn Sang-ho was for a while an individual with strong anti-Japanese nationalist consciousness, Mr. Ahn Sang-ho, whom I first learned about through interviews, a teacher. I also felt that there were so many independence activists in Anyang, that one can also engage in independence movements in their own sphere." The blog introduced Ahn Sang-ho as an 'individual with strong anti-Japanese nationalist consciousness' and 'an individual who made one realize that one can also engage in independence movements in one's own sphere,' attempting to conceal and glorify his pro-Japanese activities. After New 탐사 raised the issue, the post was immediately set to private by Mayor Choi Dae-ho of Anyang City.

The shocking atrocities committed by Ahn Bu-ho, Ahn Sang-ho's son, have been revealed: from 1949 to 1952, while serving as the head of the medical department at Sorokdo Gyeonsaengwon, he subjected leprosy patients to forced castrations and hysterectomies, and also castrated the children of patients. Reporter Kang Jin-gu testified, "When Ahn Bu-ho was the head of the medical department at Sorokdo Gyeonsaengwon from 1949 to 1952, he carried out forced castrations on men, hysterectomies on women, and castrated children born there. He committed such atrocities despite the established medical consensus that when leprosy patients marry, they can have normal children." At the time, there was a medical consensus that leprosy was not hereditary, yet Ahn Bu-ho carried out inhumane human experiments, inflicting indelible pain on many patients. This will be recorded as a case of cruel human rights violation that surpasses the actions of his pro-Japanese father, Ahn Sang-ho, during the Japanese colonial period.