Lee Jae-myung's Second Cabinet Appoints Unified Personnel, Embracing Pro-Moon Faction and Jo Guk Party

Reporter Kang Jin-guk revealed that opinion manipulation using 'burner phones' was rampant during the local election primaries. Tens of thousands of 'burner phones' were activated and used in the primaries, a phenomenon confirmed to have occurred in eight constituencies in the Jeonbuk region. Suspicions arose that then-party leader Jeong Cheong-rae was aware of these facts but condoned them.

Regarding President Lee Jae-myung's statement that the Busan region will be managed directly by the party leader in the next general election, reporter Kang Jin-guk analyzed it as a result of being conscious of the nomination irregularities and abuses committed by the pro-Roh and pro-Moon establishment in Busan during the last local elections. This is interpreted as a will to restore trust by excluding the establishment and focusing on merit-based nominations.

Honam citizens are strongly protesting writer Yoo Si-min's remarks, made during the party convention, that disparaged Honam's judgment of Assemblyman Jeong Cheong-rae as a 'benefit vote to protect the budget for the Honam mega-project.' Reporter Kang Jin-guk conveyed that the Honam public is deeply angered by Yoo Si-min's comments and stated that he plans to directly interview Honam citizens for their evaluations.

It appears that individuals from the Jeong Cheong-rae faction were not selected in this second cabinet appointment. Instead, a unified appointment was made, including the Rebuilding Korea Party, Assemblywoman Yong Hye-in of the Basic Income Party, and even former Governor Kim Kyoung-soo's political advisor from the pro-Moon faction. Reporter Kang Jin-guk evaluated this as an appointment that symbolically demonstrates the Lee Jae-myung administration's intention to continue its moderate integration stance.

Reporter Kang Jin-guk reported that former Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Gu Yun-cheol learned of his replacement on the very day he was departing for the airport to attend the G20 meeting. This raises suspicions that information sharing regarding major appointments was not adequately managed.

Suspicions have been raised that former Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Gu Yun-cheol attended a Shincheonji event when he was Vice Minister of Economy and Finance. The reporter stated that he asked former Vice Minister Gu about the circumstances of his attendance at the time but he evaded an answer. As he has not responded to media inquiries or requests for confirmation, the suspicions are growing. The event is known to have been used in a video showcasing Shincheonji's influence.

The reporter expressed suspicion that the downfall of Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Gu Yun-cheol might have been the most painful part for him, as he was considered one of the pro-Jeong Cheong-rae figures. The correlation between Gu Yun-cheol's downfall and the controversy surrounding his attendance at the Shincheonji event has been consistently raised, but the individuals involved have refused to answer or taken legal action such as lawsuits.

The reporter explained that the internal promotion of the new Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport from vice ministers carries two meanings. First, it signifies the President's commitment not to change the fundamental direction of economic policy. Second, it is a strategic appointment to achieve swift execution and quick results, which the Lee Jae-myung administration emphasizes, within the existing policy structure. This shows that the current government's economic policy direction focuses on maintaining continuity while enhancing implementation capabilities.

Regarding the appointment of Yong Hye-in as the new Minister of Gender Equality, the reporter analyzed that former leader Lee Jun-seok would politically exploit the backlash from men in their 20s and 30s. However, the possibility was also raised that Assemblywoman Yong Hye-in might demonstrate a more balanced and integrated approach as Minister of Gender Equality, different from previous ministers.

Assemblywoman Lee So-young's appointment as Minister of SMEs and Startups is interpreted as a strategic move considering the next general election in the Gwacheon-Uiwang constituency. Furthermore, it is also seen as President Lee Jae-myung's intention to dismiss writer Yoo Si-min's criticism that 'the President lacks advisors who offer constructive criticism,' by appointing an assemblywoman who was known for her candid remarks when he was party leader. This demonstrates the Lee Jae-myung administration's will to directly confront criticism by appointing an individual classified as pro-Nak-yeon.

New Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-cheol was an individual mentioned as being excluded in the Counterintelligence Command memorandum, and was appointed after former Minister Ahn Gyu-baek completed his initial duty of suppressing internal rebel forces within the military. The reporter explained that for the second cabinet, it appears they sought the right person from within the military to effectively reorganize the military system. The appointment of the new minister is expected to focus on promoting stability within the military and advancing defense reform tasks such as the completion of the integration of the three military academies. This reflects the government's commitment to simultaneously pursue internal military reform and stabilization.

While the pro-Jeong Cheong-rae faction had considered former Governor Kim Kyoung-soo as one of their own, President Lee Jae-myung's appointment of him to an important position, as candidate Kim Min-seok had publicly announced, is causing discomfort within the pro-Jeong Cheong-rae faction. The reporter analyzed that although Kim Kyoung-soo's appointment is a unified one, the pro-Jeong Cheong-rae faction finds it difficult to criticize, but is inwardly displeased. This suggests that the appointment of former Governor Kim Kyoung-soo demonstrates the Lee Jae-myung administration's unified stance, while also bringing complex emotions to the pro-Jeong Cheong-rae faction.

Instead of publicly welcoming the new appointments, Assemblywoman Choi Min-hee posted critical remarks on Facebook about real estate issues and the decline of local businesses. The reporter analyzed that Choi's silence, apart from a message of support, and her use of expressions like 'I will endure, exercise restraint, and work hard' suggest a wait-and-see attitude. This can be interpreted as an indirect expression of internal dissatisfaction with the appointments themselves.

Writer Yoo Si-min interpreted Honam's support for candidate Kim Min-seok as a 'benefit vote.' However, Assemblyman Ahn Ho-young and other Jeonbuk region assembly members strongly countered Yoo Si-min's interpretation, stating it was a 'choice stemming from Honam's high democratic civic consciousness.' Honam residents expressed displeasure with Yoo Si-min's assessment, stating that trust in President Lee Jae-myung, rather than economic interests, was the primary reason for their choice.

Honam residents reacted with little trust to Assemblyman Jeong Cheong-rae's claim that he 'upheld the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration and loyalty to President Lee Jae-myung.' The speaker conveyed that the prevailing assessment is that Assemblyman Jeong's words and actions do not align. Honam residents expressed concerns about national governance after Assemblyman Jeong became party leader, maintaining a skeptical view of his remarks.

Farmers in the Honam region showed low interest in the results of the Democratic Party convention or the candidates for party leader. One resident remarked, "It's not that we're uninterested; it's that we're not in a situation to worry about such things right now," indicating their focus on local issues like attracting semiconductor factories. This demonstrates a pragmatic attitude that prioritizes issues directly affecting their lives over political matters.

Taxi drivers in the Gwangju area reported perceiving negative public opinion towards Assemblyman Jeong Cheong-rae. As one driver stated, "Assemblyman Jeong is not good. He made many mistakes, so he was criticized," indicating a prevalent negative perception of Assemblyman Jeong's abusive language and actions that instigated internal competition. The drivers maintained that welcoming him when he came to greet them and political support are separate, expressing their disappointment in Assemblyman Jeong.

The reporter pointed out that as writer Yoo Si-min's credibility has declined among Honam, the most traditional core support base of the Democratic Party, his activities as a political commentator are inevitably limited. This is compared to the case of commentator Jin Joong-kwon, suggesting that failing to win the support of the core base can narrow one's standing as a political commentator. Yoo Si-min's misjudgment of Honam public sentiment is expected to negatively impact his future endeavors.

Honam citizens expressed strong anger at writer Yoo Si-min's remarks. Unlike the previous Moon Jae-in administration, they highly rate President Lee Jae-myung's sincerity and competence, perceiving criticism of him as an insult to Honam public sentiment. One citizen remarked, "Now that President Lee Jae-myung knows a lot, whatever he says, it doesn't get accepted. So since they don't like it, nonsense just went on," revealing high support and trust in President Lee Jae-myung. This public sentiment was shown to be firm enough to wish for President Lee Jae-myung's re-election.

New Tam Sa won an appeal in the civil lawsuit filed after its report on suspicions of illegal apartment remodeling involving the couple Cha Yu-ram and Lee Ji-sung. The reporter stated that he was relieved to have won the appeal following the first trial. This victory in the civil lawsuit, after the dismissal of the criminal complaint, is seen as further proving the legitimacy of New Tam Sa's reporting.

The host reported that Jeong Cheon-su stated his intention to unconditionally appeal to the Supreme Court on his way out of court. Jeong Cheon-su mentioned that if the Supreme Court's decision is finalized, he might lose his qualification as a journalist. His announcement of an appeal to the Supreme Court signals that legal disputes will continue and could affect his broadcasting activities.

New Tam Sa has built and released the 'Judge Name Lookup Service,' which provides information on the personnel appointments and workplaces of 2,600 current judges. The host explained that they obtained 50,000 pieces of judge personnel appointment information, allowing users to find out where a judge currently works and what they do by simply typing in their name. This initiative is part of judicial reform, aiming to enhance transparency in the legal community.