[Summary] "Are They Harassing the Mother Who Sent Her Son to the Military?" vs. "Special Investigation Needed for Choo Mi-ae"... Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash

Conflict Between Ruling and Opposition Parties Over Allegations of Special Military Leave for Minister Chu's Son
Ruling Party: "Baseless Political Attack," "No External Pressure"
Opposition Party: "Special Investigation Needed for Minister Chu," "Serious Issue If Power Abuse Confirmed"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is delivering a greeting at the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly on the 1st. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] The conflict between the ruling and opposition parties is deepening over allegations of preferential treatment during military leave for the son of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae. The controversy arose after suspicions surfaced that a secretary contacted the military unit where Choo's son, Seo Mo, was serving while Choo was the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. In response, the Democratic Party claims it was merely a complaint inquiry with no external pressure related to leave, while the People Power Party (formerly the United Future Party) has raised their voices demanding a special investigation to uncover the truth.

Previously, Seo served as a KATUSA soldier for 21 months from November 2016 to August 2018 while Choo was the Democratic Party leader, taking a total of 58 days of leave. KATUSA soldiers are entitled to 28 days of annual leave, and special leave or sick leave is determined at the discretion of the unit commander. However, Seo's military leave records do not show any sick leave, leading some to suspect he may have received preferential treatment.

Meanwhile, on the 31st of last month, allegations emerged that a secretary of Minister Choo called the unit where Seo served to request an extension of Seo's leave.

According to materials disclosed by Representative Shin Won-sik of the People’s Party (then the United Future Party) on that day, a unit official A, who was involved during Seo’s active duty, recently appeared as a witness in the prosecution’s investigation regarding the case and testified, "During a unit event, someone identifying as 'Secretary to Representative Choo Mi-ae' called," and "They asked if Seo’s leave, which was about to end, could be converted to sick leave so he could rest and recover at home."

Additionally, on the 2nd, Representative Shin held a press conference and released an audio recording of Captain B, the support officer of the unit where Seo served. In the recording, Captain B says, "I received a call from Representative Choo’s secretary inquiring whether Private Seo’s sick leave could be extended."

In response, Representative Shin stated, "Seo took 58 days of leave during his 21 months of military service, of which 23 days were unusually long," and added, "As someone with 40 years of military experience, this is an unprecedented and bizarre case of 'emperor leave manipulation' and a 'desertion suspicion case.'"

Kim Jong-min, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

However, the ruling party rebutted these allegations as "baseless political attacks by the opposition." Even if the secretary’s call to the military unit is true, it was a simple complaint call without any intent to exert pressure on the unit commander.

Kim Jong-min, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th, "The People Power Party continues irresponsible and baseless attacks against Minister Choo. I strongly urge them to stop now."

He continued, "Private Seo, the son of Minister Choo, had knee surgery. Even if one is not a prominent politician, any citizen of the Republic of Korea can take leave or sick leave if they have difficulty walking after surgery."

He added, "These baseless political attacks not only torment Minister Choo and her family but also distress all mothers who have sent their children to the military in Korea," and criticized, "The People Power Party should change their mindset instead of just changing their name."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-guk admitted on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" that the secretary’s call to the unit was likely true after confirming through the Ministry of National Defense, but emphasized, "The most important part is who made the call and what was said."

He added, "The support officer who received the call said it was a simple complaint inquiry asking whether sick leave could be taken or extended," and stressed, "It is difficult to see this as external pressure."

Ha Tae-kyung, People Power Party member / Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, the opposition party called for a special investigation to uncover the truth behind the allegations of preferential treatment for Minister Choo’s son’s leave.

People Power Party lawmaker Cho Hae-jin said on YTN Radio's "Start New Morning," "The prosecution has not properly investigated even after eight months since the complaint was filed, and testimonies from the parties involved are coming out," adding, "That is why our party is proposing a special investigation as soon as possible."

He continued, "It would be best if the prosecution quickly clarifies the facts," but emphasized, "Since the prosecution system changed to Lee Sung-yoon’s leadership, it seems difficult to expect much. The prosecution must either reveal the truth promptly or decide to proceed with a special investigation."

There were also calls for Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl to personally investigate whether Minister Choo was involved in concealing key testimonies.

People Power Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung wrote on Facebook, "It is said that the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office omitted the testimony that Minister Choo’s secretary called the military unit from the investigation records," and argued, "Prosecutor General Yoon must immediately investigate whether he was involved in the concealment. If the minister abused power to interfere with an investigation related to herself, it is a serious crime that threatens the fate of the nation."

Meanwhile, Minister Choo dismissed the related allegations, stating they were untrue.

At the Budget and Accounts Special Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 1st, when People Power Party lawmaker Park Hyung-soo questioned, "There are reports that a person identified as Minister Choo’s secretary requested leave for her son by phone," she replied, "That is not true," and added, "If investigated, the truth will be clearly revealed."

When Park asked, "Did you give such instructions through your secretary at the time?" she retorted, "Would a secretary receive instructions to handle such a personal matter?"

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