Choo Mi-ae Takes a Hardline Stance on Gwanghwamun Rally... "Must Investigate Behind-the-Scenes and Hold Responsible" (Comprehensive)

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is attending the plenary session of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly on the 25th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae announced a strong response regarding the Gwanghwamun rally led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, stating, "We will investigate the masterminds and hold them accountable accordingly."

On the 25th, Minister Choo responded to a question from Park Beom-gye, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, saying, "This is not a simple deviation but an obstruction of quarantine efforts. If false and fabricated information that intentionally violates the measures or instructions of quarantine authorities and continuously obstructs official duties is disseminated and spread behind the scenes, we must promptly investigate and hold those responsible accountable."

This appears to be a remark targeting Pastor Jeon, who is spreading the "virus terrorism theory." Pastor Jeon claims that the surge of COVID-19 cases at Sarang Jeil Church is due to "virus terrorism by external malicious elements." When Park suggested that the Minister of Justice, the Prosecutor General, the Commissioner of the National Police Agency, and the Minister of the Interior and Safety jointly warn the public about the dangers of rumors, Minister Choo replied, "I fully agree and will consider it."

Regarding Park's criticism that "the prosecution is silent," Minister Choo said, "We are holding joint meetings with related agencies, and the prosecution and police are cooperating with local governments to investigate who ordered, encouraged, and incited the nationwide rallies." She added, "The Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office are holding daily meetings, and I have instructed the front lines to apply a zero-tolerance policy and detain those who refuse or obstruct quarantine measures as offenders disrupting quarantine."

Minister Choo stated about those mobilized by bus to the Gwanghwamun rally, "If they were mobilized nationwide by bus, the investigation will focus on who ordered and premeditated it," adding, "The police are investigating the illegality of the rally itself."

In response to a question from Shin Dong-geun, a Democratic Party member, about securing the list of bus passengers, she said, "I have instructed the prosecution, police, local governments, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and related agencies to respond jointly." Regarding whether to claim damages from those who attended the Gwanghwamun rally, she replied, "We will conduct a legal review first and comprehensively consider such measures (claims for damages)."

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae attended the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly on the 25th, checking documents with a serious expression. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Minister Choo raised her voice, saying "Investigate immediately," in response to a question from Jeon Ju-hye, a member of the United Future Party, regarding allegations that her son did not return from military leave. Jeon analyzed the leave records of 4,600 KATUSA (Korean Augmentation to the United States Army) soldiers and identified a soldier with the surname Seo, the same as Minister Choo's son, but pointed out that there was no record of sick leave in May 2017, when the failure to return was an issue.

Jeon questioned Minister Choo's statement during the confirmation hearing that her son "obtained sick leave to undergo surgery," asking, "Did you lie during the hearing, or did the Military Manpower Administration or Ministry of National Defense conceal the records?" Minister Choo responded, "Due to the Personal Information Protection Act, the data could not be obtained, so it seems they tried to estimate externally like that, but the prosecution should investigate immediately. The truth will come out if investigated."

Regarding the 'prosecutor-media collusion' allegations she wrote about on Facebook last June, when Yoo Sang-beom of the United Future Party criticized her for generalizing prosecutors, she retorted, "The prosecution must also reflect for reform," and asked, "What is the problem?"

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