Choo Mi-ae's Son: "Sick Leave Application Was Proper... Duty Soldier's Testimony Is False"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] The lawyer of Seo, the son of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, has come forward to clarify the allegations of 'unauthorized absence during military leave.'

The law firm Jeongsang, representing Seo, stated in a press release on the 2nd, "We have confirmed that Seo's sick leave and military leave were legally without any issues," adding, "Due to the recent unilateral amplification and reproduction of allegations based on false information, we are issuing this statement to ensure the public's right to know."

According to the law firm, Seo decided to enlist despite having undergone left knee surgery at Samsung Seoul Hospital around April 2015 and was assigned to KATUSA in November 2015. Subsequently, Seo was diagnosed as requiring surgery and took his first sick leave for 10 days from June 5 to June 14, 2017, during which he underwent surgery at Samsung Seoul Hospital. As the pain did not subside after the surgery, he took a second sick leave for 9 days from June 15 to June 23, 2017, during which the stitches were removed on the 21st. After completing his leave and returning to his unit, Seo was honorably discharged on August 27, 2018.

However, controversy intensified after testimony emerged on the 27th of last month claiming that Seo did not return without authorization even after his leave period ended. A video released by the United Future Party included a claim by A, who was on duty as a soldier on June 25, 2017, stating, "Seo did not return even two days past the scheduled return date, and when I called, he said he was at home."

In response, the law firm stated, "A, who claims to have been the duty soldier around the expiration of the sick leave period, was not the duty soldier on June 23, 2017, the last day of the sick leave," adding, "Seo did not even have a phone call with A on that day. At that time, A and Seo were in different work teams and did not know each other."

Regarding the controversy over the so-called 'emperor leave,' the firm clarified, "Seo applied for sick leave based on a diagnosis from the Armed Forces Yangju Hospital that surgery was necessary, and he submitted all the required documents for the sick leave application," further stating, "For the second sick leave as well, he obtained and submitted the necessary documents issued by Samsung Seoul Hospital, fulfilling all his obligations related to the sick leave."

The firm also called for a prompt investigation by the prosecution. It said, "Upon checking with Samsung Seoul Hospital, on August 6, a medical opinion and general medical certificate for Seo were obtained by the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office," and added, "We hope the investigative authorities conduct a swift investigation to prevent harm to individuals caused by baseless allegations."

Meanwhile, the United Future Party released a recording on the morning of the same day related to Seo's 'unauthorized absence during military leave' allegations, in which a military official claimed that at the time, a 'staff member of Representative Choo' requested an extension of the sick leave on Seo's behalf.

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