Kim Geun-sik: "Chu Mi-ae, Stop Getting Angry and Pay Condolences to Park Won-soon First"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] As Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae actively responded to media reports that she receives most reports from senior officials through her aides, Professor Kim Geun-sik of Gyeongnam National University, chairman of the Future United Party's Songpa-byeong district committee in Seoul, strongly criticized Minister Choo, saying, "First, pay respects to the late Mayor Park Won-soon."

On the 12th, Professor Kim wrote on his Facebook, "Although there is controversy, it is proper to refrain from speech and behavior during a political leader's mourning period, so even if I want to say something, I have deliberately held back," expressing this view.

He continued, "However, Minister Choo Mi-ae got upset again, saying there is no 'door lock power' (Mungori power)," adding, "Putting aside the controversy over face-to-face reports or reliance on Mungori, what the public and media are curious about is why the minister's statement was delivered in advance to the authors of the Cho Kuk white paper and Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, but there has been no explanation, only an angry deflection."

He further stated, "I will also refrain from speech and behavior during the mourning period, so I hope Minister Choo Mi-ae exercises some self-restraint," and pointed out, "You are also being mentioned as a candidate for the Seoul mayoral by-election, so please do not be so preoccupied with ousting Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl and making excuses for yourself. I hope you stay calm and reflect on yourself. That is the minimum courtesy during the mourning period of a presidential candidate from the same party."

Earlier, a media outlet reported that Minister Choo does not receive most face-to-face reports from senior officials of the Ministry of Justice, and that reports are made through policy aide Lee Gyu-jin. Aide Lee Gyu-jin worked as a secretary when Minister Choo was a member of the National Assembly and was appointed as the Ministry of Justice's policy aide in February.

Regarding the report, Minister Choo rebutted, "The media attacks are nothing new, but please do not imagine, conclude arbitrarily, or slander," and said, "It is said as if I do not receive face-to-face reports from the directors and use aides as a shield, even refusing meetings. I physiologically dislike such anti-democratic behavior."

She added, "If the section chief makes a face-to-face report alone and immediately approves, there is a risk of mistakes or wrong decisions, so generally, decisions are made after listening to the opinions of the majority through discussions," and "I work by holding various meetings frequently, discussing, gathering the opinions of the majority, and then making conclusions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.