"Request for Prompt Investigation into Allegations Against Choo Mi-ae's Son"… Petition to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] The Association of Judicial Examination Preparers (Sajunmo) announced on the 7th that it submitted a petition to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office yesterday, requesting a swift investigation into the allegations that Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's son received preferential leave during his military service, naming Kim Kwan-jung, head of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, as the respondent.

The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office has been investigating the related case for eight months since receiving the complaint in January.

Through the petition, Sajunmo stated, "We ask the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to direct the respondent to ensure a prompt investigation into the case in which Minister Choo, her son Seo, and a former aide were accused of military desertion and abuse of authority."

They particularly pointed out, "This case is not a complicated one requiring financial account tracking, yet the investigation is proceeding slowly." They added, "If the allegations are not clarified promptly, it will be difficult for both the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution to avoid harsh public criticism that they are conducting lenient investigations due to the involvement of high-ranking officials' children."

Meanwhile, Seo's legal representatives disclosed related documents, including a hospital diagnosis, on the 6th. Seo's lawyer stated, "Even after the press release, we were aware of ongoing doubts regarding the 'basis for sick leave,' so we decided to additionally disclose Seo's medical records, including the diagnosis that served as the basis for the sick leave."

The materials released by the legal team on that day include three documents: a record of left knee surgery dated April 7, 2015; a diagnosis dated April 5, 2017, stating 'right knee surgery is necessary'; and a diagnosis dated June 21, 2017, stating 'recovery after surgery requires about three months of rest.'

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