‘Strong Opponents’ held a bold discussion addressing the political turmoil caused by the 'abolition of the prosecution' and the 'Kim Hyun-ji controversy' just before the Chuseok holiday.
On the broadcast of TV CHOSUN’s ‘Strong Opponents’ on the 4th, former People Power Party member Kim Seong-tae, former Democratic Party member Park Yong-jin, broadcaster Hwang Hyun-hee, and Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok participated in a heated debate over current issues including 'prosecution reform frenzy', 'Choo Mi-ae's remarks on insurrection', 'the controversy surrounding Kim Hyun-ji, head of the first secretary's office', 'the arrest of former KCC chairperson Lee Jin-sook', and 'Trump's demand for a $35 billion advance payment'.
The discussion began with the topic of 'abolishing the prosecution'. Kim Seong-tae criticized, "They presented an immature dish of dismantling the prosecution after 78 years," adding, "The public has every right to be angry." In contrast, Park Yong-jin responded, "The separation of investigation and prosecution is the core of a reform that has been discussed for over ten years," stating, "While the speed should be adjusted, the direction is correct."
Lee Jun-seok pointed out, "You don't eliminate a school just because there is school violence," and added, "If international cooperation networks are cut off, it creates a gap in investigations." Hwang Hyun-hee remarked, "What the public is curious about is, 'So what happens to us if the prosecution is reformed?'" and criticized, "Without sufficient explanation, only the message that it was completed before Chuseok is being recognized by the public."
Lee Jun-seok used the example of medical strikes, saying, "Just as a law could be made that makes resignations illegal, if prosecutors leave, a gap will occur," and called it "a reckless rush without preparation." Kim Seong-tae directly hit back, saying, "The Democratic Party is pushing reforms like a reckless gang."
The discussion then shifted to Choo Mi-ae, the chair of the Legal Affairs Committee. Kim Seong-tae stated, "In the conservative camp, Choo Mi-ae is referred to as 'the mother of conservatism'," and added, "The support rate for the Democratic Party is gradually declining due to the reckless actions of Jeong Cheong-rae and Choo Mi-ae." Park Yong-jin countered, "Reform must be cautious and detailed to be completed," asserting, "That is true reform."
Lee Jun-seok analyzed, "The Democratic Party always makes a move first and then creates a framework later," predicting, "The three pillars of Jeong Cheong-rae, Choo Mi-ae, and Lee Jae-myung will clash." Hwang Hyun-hee commented, "President Lee Jae-myung promised cooperation, but it has been overshadowed by a reckless image," and noted, "Now there are even rumors that 'the president and the Democratic Party have split'."
The debate continued with the 'Kim Hyun-ji, head of the first secretary's office controversy'. Lee Jun-seok stated, "This is a personnel move to avoid the National Assembly audit. It is an unbearable burden," and added, "This is the beginning of V0." Kim Seong-tae warned, "If the power behind the scenes is overly protected, the latter years of the administration will be ruined," stating, "This will be a decision that President Lee Jae-myung will regret for a long time."
Hwang Hyun-hee remarked, "If you hide and conceal, the suspicions only deepen," and added, "The more you try to hide, the bigger the suspicions grow." Park Yong-jin responded, "There is nothing to fear about the National Assembly audit. Just come and say 'yes' or 'no'."
The discussion then moved to the controversy surrounding the arrest of former KCC chairperson Lee Jin-sook. Hwang Hyun-hee questioned, "Isn't it the case that everything comes out when investigated?" and asked, "Why are only politicians not showing up?" Park Yong-jin stated, "The police have effectively given Lee Jin-sook political wings."
Jin Joong-kwon warned, "This is the beginning of excessive loyalty to power," stating, "Checks and balances are collapsing." Lee Jun-seok pointed out, "The broadcast statements are already documented, and there is no evidence destruction, so an emergency arrest makes no sense," and added, "The top tier of non-compliance with investigations was President Lee Jae-myung," asserting, "There is no justification to defend the arrest of Lee Jin-sook."
Then, the topic of President Trump's 'demand for a $35 billion advance payment' emerged.
Lee Jun-seok stated, "Trump's remarks are concerning," demanding, "Reveal the truth about what happened behind the scenes of diplomacy." Jin Joong-kwon added, "This is an issue that both the ruling and opposition parties must respond to together." Park Yong-jin argued, "We must listen to the self-restraint request from Director Wi Seong-rak," stating, "If anti-American sentiment is provoked, the U.S. is watching everything."
In contrast, Lee Jun-seok responded, "President Lee Jae-myung's style of governance is 'first to evade and later to devise a plan,' and if diplomacy goes that way, it is dangerous."
Finally, a debate ensued regarding real estate and consumer coupon policies. Hwang Hyun-hee humorously stated, "I didn't receive the second consumer coupon," eliciting laughter, while Lee Jun-seok criticized, "If you inject money, prices will rise; you must not go against the basics of economics." In contrast, Park Yong-jin countered, "The Bank of Korea also stated that the impact on prices is minimal," asserting, "Political attacks are not acceptable."
In conclusion, regarding real estate measures, Lee Jun-seok stated, "Supply measures are just a numbers game; we need courageous politicians," to which Lim Yoon-sun asked, "I heard that those without homes won't vote if supply increases; is that true?" Park Yong-jin clarified, "That is a misunderstanding; in areas densely populated with apartments, the Democratic Party is actually strong."
Hwang Hyun-hee predicted, "Even the president lives in an apartment era," stating, "Ultimately, taxes will become the last card." Park Yong-jin analyzed, "Taxes can be the fuse for a revolution. We must be cautious," concluding the discussion.
On that day, ‘Strong Opponents’ addressed a wide range of issues from 'abolishing the prosecution' to 'Kim Hyun-ji, the head of the first secretary's office', 'Lee Jin-sook's arrest', 'Trump's remarks', and 'real estate policies', revealing the chaos in the political arena ahead of the Chuseok public sentiment. It was a night of direct and satirical discussions among the participants.
Meanwhile, ‘Strong Opponents’ airs every Sunday at 9:10 PM.
[Lee Da-gyeom, Star Today Reporter]
