Lee Sang-ro, Columnist
Former MBC Camera Exposure Reporter

Reporters write three types of articles: 'facts,' 'explanations,' and 'claims.' 

Among these, the easiest type of article to write is the first one, reporting 'facts.' However, many reporters omit or distort facts. This is why reporters are subjected to insults like 'giregi' (trash reporters). 

The South Korean public has become immune to the distortion and omission of facts by mainstream media reporters. They treat news from newspapers like Chosun, JoongAng, Dong-A, and broadcasts from TV channels like MBC as roughly equivalent to stock market rumors. 

Ultimately, the public's desire for fact-based reporting is expanding the space for independent journalists. Of course, not all independent journalists report accurate facts. The value of independent journalists lies in their ability to provide opportunities to compare their content with that of legacy media. 

Secondly, 'explanations' based on reporters' omissions and distortions of facts become novels rather than articles. 

It is common in South Korea for reporters and prosecutors to compete in writing novels. Judges also participate in this. This competition in novel writing has become commonplace. However, there are many true professionals among independent journalists who possess considerable knowledge and experience in their respective fields. With the development of social media platforms like YouTube, these true professionals are making significant contributions to guiding our society correctly. 

What is noteworthy here is that the influence of so-called columnists in traditional media has significantly diminished due to the emergence of these social media experts, and they have even become objects of ridicule. Prominent examples include Kim Dae-jung of Chosun Ilbo, Kim Soon-deok of Dong-A Ilbo, and Lee Ha-kyung of JoongAng Ilbo. 

Thirdly, among reporters' 'facts,' 'explanations,' and 'claims,' the most dangerous area is 'claims.' Of course, 'claims' are embedded within 'explanations.' That is, 'explanations' are used in format to rationalize the journalist's own 'claims.' These claims also include 'predictions.' For example, there are definitive predictions like 'Who will be elected president' or 'Which party will win the next general election,' as well as admonitory predictions like 'The conservatives will surely lose if they do this.' 

The author is an independent journalist and former reporter who worked at a media company (MBC) for over 30 years. The author frequently provides 'explanations' and 'claims' through YouTube. Among the author's 'claims' are 'predictions.' Here are two instances where the author's 'predictions' came true. 

The first is the prediction: 'If President Yoon Suk-yeol does not apologize for the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye in the early days of his presidency, investigate the fraudulent election, and clear the past wrongdoings of the Moon Jae-in administration, he will ultimately choose the path of impeachment himself during his term.' This prediction of mine was met with much criticism. Criticisms included, 'Does it make sense for a sitting president to choose the path of impeachment himself?' Unfortunately, my prediction became a reality. 

The second prediction was: 'If Yoon Suk-yeol and Han Dong-hoon do not apologize for the impeachment of Park Geun-hye, investigate the fraudulent election, and expedite the clearing of Moon Jae-in's past wrongdoings, then time is ultimately on Lee Jae-myung's side. Yoon Suk-yeol and Han Dong-hoon do not have time to be complacent.' This second prediction also proved accurate. 

Now, the author intends to make a third prediction: 'Our country will soon face an economic crisis similar to the IMF foreign exchange crisis of '97.' This prediction can be easily derived as a very realistic forecast, given that the first and second predictions above came true. In other words, it is at the level of 'forecast' rather than 'prediction.' 

Trump's tariff policy is shaking the existing global trade order. While Trump's tariff policy has many problems, we are not in a position to discuss its rightness or wrongness. The South Korean economy has been sustained by exports. Exports to the U.S. will now sharply decline, and large corporations are in the process of relocating their factories to the United States. Lee Jae-myung's full-fledged pro-labor union policies will threaten the survival of not only large corporations but also small and medium-sized businesses and self-employed individuals. 

Separately, we share Lee Jae-myung's moral and political risks. Specifically, the United States is highly likely to question the integrity of the election during Lee Jae-myung's ascent to power. China is deeply involved in the elections of South Korea and the United States, and Trump himself believes that Lee Jae-myung is the beneficiary of those dirty elections in South Korea, and Trump is the victim in the U.S. Therefore, it should be seen that Trump has identified Lee Jae-myung as someone to be dealt with. The public may suffer economic damage in the process of Trump dealing with Lee Jae-myung. 

South Korea's foreign exchange reserves are around $410 billion. In the tariff negotiations with the U.S. in late July, it was already promised to invest $350 billion of this in the U.S. Furthermore, the trade balance will continue to worsen. Soon, we will face a shortage of foreign currency. This year, South Korea's national debt will exceed 1,300 trillion won. Lee Jae-myung has no hesitation in issuing government bonds. The conclusion is that our country will face an IMF crisis once again. This is the author's third prediction. However, I sincerely hope that this third prediction proves wrong. 

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