"Writing Novels" Chu Mi-ae Sparks Another Parliamentary Debate... Opposition: "When Only Chu Mi-ae Comes, Parliament Turns Chaotic"

Clash with Opposition Lawmakers in Judiciary Committee Following Government Questioning
Responds "Writing Fiction" to Questions on Son's Military Leave Allegations
Judiciary Committee Suspends Twice... Opposition Voices "Insult to Parliament Where We've Served for 20 Years"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is listening to lawmakers' procedural remarks regarding the request for document submission at the National Assembly Judiciary Committee plenary meeting held on the afternoon of the 27th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] On the 27th, Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae clashed head-on with members of the United Future Party over allegations that her son failed to return from leave during his military service at a plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Earlier, during the first government questioning session of the 21st National Assembly, Minister Choo had exchanged loud words with members of the United Future Party. Some opposition lawmakers demanded an apology, saying, "Whenever Minister Choo appears, the National Assembly turns into a mess."

At the plenary session of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly that day, United Future Party lawmaker Yoon Han-hong mentioned to Deputy Minister of Justice Ko Ki-young, "You were appointed deputy minister less than three months after going to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office," adding, "Minister Choo's son was reported to the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office last January, and at that time, Deputy Minister Ko Ki-young was the head of the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office."

He then questioned, "Isn't there a connection between the investigation into Minister Choo's son's case and the appointment of Deputy Minister Ko?" The Eastern District Prosecutors' Office is the place that investigated allegations that Minister Choo called the military unit to cover up when her son did not return after his leave period ended during his military service in 2017.

Hearing the question, Minister Choo said, "You're writing a novel." Lawmaker Yoon retorted, "Can the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office properly investigate when its head comes to the Ministry of Justice as a deputy minister? I'm asking because of that. What kind of novelist is a member of the National Assembly?" Minister Choo responded, "Please ask questions that sound like questions."

The verbal exchange between the two escalated into a confrontation between ruling and opposition lawmakers, and eventually, Chairman Yoon Ho-jung declared a 40-minute recess before resuming the session.

After resuming, Minister Choo stated, "My son never enjoyed any privileges, was never absent without leave for even an hour, and never received special sick leave," adding, "His leg treatment was not yet complete, and he completed his military service according to the doctor's opinion and proper procedures."

Minister Choo also expressed dissatisfaction with the United Future Party lawmakers' questions. She emphasized, "Parliamentary immunity is not a privilege to insult," and said, "If you are confident about the facts you claim, please remove parliamentary immunity and make your claims, and take responsibility accordingly."

Lawmakers from the Democratic Party on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee continued to defend Minister Choo, saying things like, "We are wasting time on personal attacks against Minister Choo," and "Ask questions that deserve respect." When the chamber became noisy again, Chairman Yoon declared another recess.

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is attending and responding to the government questioning on politics, diplomacy, unification, and security held at the National Assembly plenary session on the 22nd. / Photo by Yonhap News

United Future Party lawmakers moved to the National Assembly's Communication Hall and held a press conference to express their dissatisfaction.

At the press conference, United Future Party lawmaker Kim Do-eup said, "I expected at least an expression of regret for Minister Choo's insulting remarks, but instead, an absurd situation unfolded where she was disciplining others."

United Future Party lawmaker Jang Je-won strongly criticized Minister Choo, saying, "This is an incident that insults the National Assembly where I have served for 20 years," and added, "Whenever Minister Choo enters the National Assembly, it turns into a mess."

Minister Choo had previously engaged in disputes with United Future Party lawmakers during the government questioning session on politics, diplomacy, unification, and security held on the 22nd. On that day, Minister Choo exchanged loud words with lawmaker Kim Tae-heum while being questioned about allegations that Representative Choi Kang-wook of the Open Democratic Party was involved in drafting a preliminary statement from the Ministry of Justice.

During the government questioning session held on the 24th, Minister Choo clashed with United Future Party lawmaker Kwak Sang-do. When Lawmaker Kwak asked, "What do you think about Professor Jeong Gyeong-sim, who said, 'My goal is to buy a building in Gangnam'?" Minister Choo replied, "She did not say that," and added, "Are you a blind believer in media reports?"

When Lawmaker Kwak countered, "That is a fact reported by YTN," Minister Choo pointed out, "Don't you say there is a lot of fake news in media reports? Are you trying to pick a fight with me through your questions?" As the verbal exchange continued, loud voices and jeers such as "Stop it" and "What's with that attitude?" erupted from both ruling and opposition seats.

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