"Writing Novels" Remark by Choo Mi-ae... United Future Party Says "Isn't This a Sign of Vulgar Character?"

Joo Ho-young "Is Minister Chu's character vulgar?"
Jang Je-won "Every time we come to the National Assembly, it's a mess drama"
Jeon Ju-hye "It's abusive language and an insult to the people"
Jo Su-jin "The ruling party neither restrains nor mediates"

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 Kim Suwan] On the 27th, regarding Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's remark "You're writing a novel" in response to questions about allegations of her son's failure to return from military leave during his service, members of the United Future Party (UFP) collectively criticized her at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee plenary session.

Joo Ho-young, UFP floor leader, appeared on YTN's "Noh Young-hee's Start New Morning" on the 28th and was asked, "What do you think about Minister Choo's 'writing a novel' remark?" He responded, "Questions asked by members of the National Assembly in the Assembly are not personal but represent the people's inquiries," adding, "There is no such arrogance. To put it strongly, it was like causing a disturbance in the Assembly."

He then cited Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan's description of Seoul as a "vulgar city," saying, "I want to express that (Minister Choo's) character is vulgar," strongly criticizing her.

Earlier, on the 24th, at a talk concert held at Sejong City Hall, Lee mentioned the relocation of the administrative capital, saying, "When you pass by the Han River in Seoul by boat, you have to explain 'how much an apartment costs per pyeong' continuously. Even on the way back, it's only apartment explanations."

He added, "When you go to places like the Seine River in France, there are historical sites like Notre-Dame Cathedral, which are major tourist attractions, and from that, you understand how France has lived," and said, "We only have apartments along the Han River with prices per unit area, and we should not create such a vulgar city."

Regarding Lee's "vulgar city" remark, the UFP pointed out, "Are the votes that Seoul Democratic Party members received overwhelmingly in the general election such vulgar votes?" As the controversy spread, the Democratic Party's Public Relations Office issued a statement on the day of the incident, explaining, "Lee's remark was intended to make Sejong City a dignified city," and "It expressed regret over the reality where Seoul's housing prices and property values are the only measures of evaluation."

Additionally, UFP lawmaker Jang Je-won mentioned Minister Choo's remark on his Facebook on the 27th, saying, "An absurd event occurred. Has any head of an agency ever spoken so rudely to a standing committee member who is questioning them in the history of Korea's constitutional government?" He added, "Where is the end of Minister Choo's arrogance and pride? Whenever Minister Choo comes to the National Assembly, it becomes a mess."

Jang continued, "This is an incident that insulted the National Assembly, where he served for 20 years, and spat on the National Assembly, the hall of the people's will. It is an insult to the people," and urged, "Minister Choo must reflect and sincerely and politely apologize once again."

UFP lawmaker Jeon Ju-hye also pointed out in a Facebook post that day, "Rude remarks toward members of the National Assembly, who represent the people, are rude remarks and insults to the people." She added, "Minister Choo's one word caused the Legislation and Judiciary Committee to break down. Minister Choo did not apologize for her rude remarks until the end."

UFP lawmaker Cho Soo-jin criticized Democratic Party lawmakers who did not restrain Minister Choo. On the same day, Cho shared an article containing Minister Choo's remarks on her Facebook, pointing out, "The Speaker of the National Assembly, the Deputy Speaker, and all standing committee chairs from the ruling party neither restrained nor mediated."

That afternoon at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, UFP lawmakers focused their questioning on allegations of Minister Choo's son failing to return from military leave during his service. During the meeting, UFP lawmaker Yoon Han-hong asked Deputy Minister of Justice Ko Ki-young, "It seems you were appointed deputy minister less than three months after going to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office. Is this related to the investigation of Minister Choo's son?" Minister Choo sarcastically replied, "You're writing a novel." After loud exchanges between the ruling and opposition parties led to clashes, Committee Chair Yoon Ho-jung eventually declared a recess for the committee.

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