Shin Won-sik on Allegations of Favoritism for Chu Mi-ae's Son: "Bizarre Vacation Manipulation"

"20s and 30s Generation Feeling Deprived by Unfairness, Anger Reaches the Sky"

Shin Won-sik, a member of the United Future Party, is revealing a transcript related to the use of sick leave and annual leave during the military service of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's son at a press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Office on the morning of the 2nd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Amid allegations that Seo Mo, son of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, received special treatment such as not returning after leave during his military service in 2017, Shin Won-sik, a member of the Future United Party, criticized on the 1st, calling it "an unprecedented privilege and a bizarre leave manipulation."

Shin, a retired Army Lieutenant General, wrote on his Facebook that day, "This is the ultimate unfairness involving the privileged consciousness of the ruling class. The anger of the 20s and 30s generations, who feel deprived because of this, is sky-high. If such military discipline disorder and unfairness are left unchecked, South Korea will inevitably repeat the painful history of the fall of the Joseon Dynasty," he said.

He added, "Historically and currently, all great powers without exception practice leadership by example, so-called 'noblesse oblige.' They take pride in the spirit of Sangmu and military service. This is the foundation of a great power," and said, "But now, our country is going in the opposite direction."

Shin said, "The Joseon Dynasty fell due to the loss of public trust caused by the 'three administrative disorders' of Jeonjeong, Gunjeong, and Hwangok. Among these, the most decisive was the disorder in military administration," and explained, "Military administration was the pinnacle of 'unfairness,' where the yangban (nobility) were exempt from military service while commoners bore harsh burdens."

He continued, "Seo's bizarre leave manipulation case is a d?j? vu of the military administration disorder in the Joseon era," explaining, "Seo took 19 days of sick leave without any grounds, which ordinary soldiers could only dream of. Not only that, he also took an additional 4 days of personal leave, and even then, it was verbally pre-arranged and administratively processed retroactively three days after the leave ended. In the end, it means he took illegal and unauthorized leave from June 5 to June 27."

Shin then said, "The prosecution's investigation is indefinitely delayed, overwhelmed by the power of the current Justice Minister, and the Ministry of National Defense gives the excuse of 'under investigation,' leaving an impression of concealing the truth," and sharply criticized, "This is an act that treats the people like dogs and pigs."

Finally, he concluded, "There is no ruling or opposition in national defense. You can deceive some people for a while, but you cannot deceive them forever," and said, "The truth must be revealed to quickly put an end to the exhausting controversy and to strictly and fairly restore the collapsed military discipline. I appeal for the active participation of the National Defense Committee, the Minister of National Defense, and the military leadership," ending his statement.

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