A young man, identified as Lee, belonging to the "Free University" (right), questions Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum during a live MBC broadcast. [Photo=MBC]

A student from "Free University" attending Jeonbuk National University has become a topic of discussion for posing sharp questions to Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, questions that "everyone wonders but dares not ask," in the heart of Jeolla Province.

The scene was the "K-State Explanation Session" held at the International Convention Center of Jeonbuk National University in Deokjin-dong, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, on the 19th, hosted by Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province and JC Jeonbuk District. MBC was broadcasting the session live.

When the floor opened for questions, a 27-year-old young man, identified as Lee, took the microphone and introduced himself as "a 27-year-old youth attending Jeonbuk National University. I have been waiting for this moment for a long time."

He began by addressing Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, who was awaiting questions, saying, "I believe President Lee Jae-myung's will for reform is very clear." It was a smooth opening. However, the question that followed made the 500-strong audience doubt their ears.

"However, in reality, the issue of prosecutorial investigation rights remains unresolved, the responsibility for corruption allegations and suspicions of power abuse is becoming blurred, and the Democratic Party appears to be drifting due to internal factional conflicts. Citizens are saying that this problem lies not with the President but with the Democratic Party's structure and vested interests, which are preventing reform."

Instead of directly mentioning the President, he used indirect language, saying, "Citizens say there are problems with the Democratic Party," acting as a proxy speaker.

He then asked Prime Minister Kim, "If President Lee Jae-myung's reforms fail, can the government clearly acknowledge that the responsibility lies with the Democratic Party?"

His subsequent remarks followed the same line of reasoning.

"From a youth's perspective, I found it truly perplexing that one of the policies recently implemented by the Lee Jae-myung administration was the distribution of Rodong Sinmun, North Korea's propaganda media, using taxpayer money. Furthermore, the import of North Korean food products, which had been suspended due to sanctions, has been resumed, there is controversy over the abolition of the National Security Act, and President Lee Jae-myung has stated that he respects North Korea's system."

Finally, he delivered the following poignant statement:

"Isn't the Democratic Party and the Lee Jae-myung administration more concerned about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's reactions than about the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and its citizens? Isn't this truly an act of treason? We sometimes hear young people joking about these things. If President Lee Jae-myung respects the constitutional order of liberal democracy, why are there successive measures that are favorable to the North Korean regime coming exclusively from the Democratic Party government? Thank you."

Prime Minister Kim, ignoring the other questions, concluded the exchange by stating, "I find much of what you said in the latter part difficult to agree with. There was no discussion about distributing Rodong Sinmun with national funds, so that premise itself is flawed. Rather, I would appreciate it if you would go and persuade them not to spread such false information."

The broadcast rapidly spread across social media.

Social media users reacted by saying, "How can such a brave question be asked in Jeolla Province, the absolute stronghold of the Democratic Party where Lee Jae-myung received over 80% of the vote? He is a remarkable youth."

Other reactions included, "Kim Boo-kyum was hit hard," "It's surprising to hear 'act of treason' mentioned on MBC," "The fact that the Prime Minister sidestepped the issue by saying it's difficult to agree with and asked for persuasion instead of a proper explanation was broadcast nationwide," and "Thanks to the youth, our future is bright."

Meanwhile, MBC, in its news reports, referred to Free University as a far-right youth group and raised concerns about their anti-China remarks. Free University, in turn, has held protest marches in front of the MBC headquarters in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, stating that MBC's reporting was distorted and biased.

Reporter Im Yo-hee