[Breaking] "More Serious Than the Cho Kuk Incident"... Civic Group Requests Investigation into Allegations of Choo Mi-ae's Son's Sick Leave

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The civic group Action Alliance for Restoring the Rule of Law (Beopse Ryeon) announced on the 3rd that it has requested an investigation by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office into allegations of extended sick leave taken by the son of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae.

Beopse Ryeon held a press conference in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the same day, stating, "Choo's son, Seo, who served as an Army KATUSA, took a total of 23 consecutive days of leave in June 2017, including sick leave and personal vacation," and added, "During this process, it is said that a secretary of Minister Choo, who was then the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, called Seo's unit personnel to inquire about extending the sick leave."

Beopse Ryeon argued that it is hard to imagine the secretary independently calling the unit to inquire or request an extension of sick leave without Minister Choo's instruction, suggesting a high possibility that Minister Choo directed the secretary to do so.

The group stated, "If Minister Choo instructed the secretary to make the call regarding the sick leave extension, it would constitute an abuse of authority exercised illegally, and it could be considered a case of compelling the secretary to perform duties beyond their obligations," adding that this could be viewed as abuse of power and obstruction of rights.

They continued, "Even judging only by the facts revealed so far, the 'emperor's leave' taken by Minister Choo's son clearly amounts to desertion," and added, "Considering the sense of deprivation felt by young people fulfilling their sacred national defense duties and the public outrage, this issue is far more serious than the 'Cho Kuk incident.'"

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