Rep. Chu Mi-ae's Demand for Son's Military Records Sparks Heated Debate Between Ruling and Opposition Lawmakers in Judiciary Committee

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 27th, Jeon Ju-hye, a member of the United Future Party, requested military service records of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's son at the Judiciary Committee, leading to a heated debate between ruling and opposition party members over the appropriateness of the questions.

On that day, at the Judiciary Committee, Representative Jeon asked Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo for military service-related documents, mentioning allegations of "emperor desertion" involving Minister Choo's son. In response, Kim Nam-guk of the Democratic Party criticized the request as inappropriate, saying, "I don't know if this is the Judiciary Committee, the Defense Committee, or a place for political strife," which sparked the verbal exchange.

Jang Je-won of the United Future Party, during a procedural speech, stated, "Is there a standard that says a member of the National Assembly cannot request certain documents or ask certain questions or make statements in a standing committee?" and "Respect the remarks of other members and speak within proper boundaries," he pointed out.

Yoon Ho-jung, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, also told Representative Kim, "If you have such concerns, please tell me (the chairman) privately," attempting to restore order. However, Democratic and United Future Party members continued to raise their voices without obtaining the floor, prompting Chairman Yoon to raise his voice, saying, "Be quiet when the chairman is speaking."

Despite Chairman Yoon's warning, the verbal dispute between the United Future Party and the Democratic Party continued. Kim Do-eup, the United Future Party's Judiciary Committee secretary, emphasized, "The documents requested by Representative Jeon are typically the kind that can be requested regarding military law," adding, "The issue concerning Minister Choo's son involves a potential violation of the military criminal law, and all the requested documents are necessary to determine that."

Baek Hye-ryun of the Democratic Party also pointed out improper practices in the Judiciary Committee during a procedural speech, saying, "Minister Choo's son has already been discharged and is a civilian, and since a complaint has been filed, the case is under investigation by the prosecution," and "While our members of the National Assembly can request various documents, we have never requested documents related to ongoing investigations."

Cho Soo-jin of the United Future Party criticized, "The 'emperor desertion' case involving Minister Choo's son is the public's right to know," and "No matter how many times we requested documents from the Ministry of National Defense, they have not been submitted, and treating the request as political strife is problematic."

Park Beom-gye of the Democratic Party also responded during a procedural speech, saying, "Since it falls under the public's right to know, should documents be submitted to the Judiciary Committee regardless of whether it is under investigation?" and "Matters related to national security and personal information cannot be submitted."

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