[Comprehensive] "Investigate Immediately" Choo Mi-ae Outraged Over Son's Military Leave Favoritism Allegations... Refuses to Apologize for 'Writing Novels' Remark

"Investigate Immediately" Denial of Son's Leave Non-Return Suspicion
"Feels Like Writing Fiction" Refusal to Apologize for 'Writing Fiction' Remark

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae attended the full meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly on the 25th and is reviewing documents. / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] On the 25th, at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee plenary session, Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae dismissed questions regarding allegations that her son failed to return from military leave by saying, "Investigate it even now." She also stated that she has no intention of apologizing for her remark "You're writing a novel," which had sparked controversy.

On the same day, Jeon Ju-hye, a member of the Future United Party, analyzed soldiers' leave records received from the Military Manpower Administration and singled out soldiers with the surname Seo, which is the same as the minister's son. However, she pointed out that there was no record of Seo taking leave in May 2017, when the issue of failure to return arose. She then questioned, "Did the minister lie during the hearing, or did the Military Manpower Administration or the Ministry of National Defense conceal the data?"

In response, Minister Choo said, "Due to the Personal Information Protection Act, it seems you could not obtain the data and had to estimate externally like that, but the prosecution should investigate immediately."

When Representative Jeon retorted, "You should exercise your command authority," Minister Choo countered, "If an investigation is conducted, the truth will come out."

Regarding a question from Representative Jo Su-jin of the United Party, asking if she intended to express regret over her "You're writing a novel" remark, Minister Choo replied, "The question itself is a personal attack," adding, "I feel that the attack is excessively harsh to the point of calling it writing a novel."

In response, Representative Jo said, "'You're writing a novel' itself is a personal attack on a member of the assembly," and asked, "If it were not so, why would former Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Yoo In-tae say that Minister Choo is a burden to this government?"

Minister Choo responded, "Other members advised restraint in the minister's remarks since an investigation is ongoing," and said, "I feel that the excessive insults are really like writing a novel, so I hope such remarks will not be repeatedly mentioned."

Previously, on the 27th of last month, Minister Choo had a heated exchange with United Party members who questioned her son's alleged failure to return from military leave during his service at a Legislation and Judiciary Committee plenary session.

At that time, Representative Yoon Han-hong of the United Party questioned Deputy Minister Ko Ki-young, saying, "He was suddenly appointed deputy minister after serving as the head of the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office. Wasn't this related to the investigation of Minister Choo's son?" Hearing this, Minister Choo said, "You're writing a novel."

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 of last month. / Photo by Yonhap News

Deputy Minister Ko was appointed after serving as the head of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office from January to April. The Eastern District Prosecutors' Office is the office handling the investigation into Minister Choo's son's failure to return from leave, which is why the opposition views the appointment of the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office chief as potentially related to the allegations concerning Minister Choo's son.

Following Minister Choo's remark, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee meeting became chaotic with loud voices and heated exchanges.

Representative Yoon said, "With the head of the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office now serving as deputy minister, can the investigation be properly conducted? I don't think so," and asked, "So when you say 'You're writing a novel,' what kind of novelist is a member of the National Assembly?" Minister Choo responded by pointing out, "You should ask proper questions."

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