Choo Mi-ae, "Will Not Receive Any Reports on Son's Investigation Allegations"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae announced that she will no longer receive any reports related to the investigation of the controversy surrounding her son's military leave privilege.

On the 7th, the Ministry of Justice stated, "Minister Choo has repeatedly expressed through responses to the National Assembly that the prosecution should conduct a swift and thorough investigation to ascertain the facts regarding the recent controversial case," adding, "She has not received any reports related to the case so far and will not receive any in the future."

The prosecution's investigation into the allegations of Mr. Seo, Minister Choo's son, 'failure to return from leave' has been stagnant for eight months. Recently, additional allegations have been raised that in 2017, when Mr. Seo served as a KATUSA soldier, there was external pressure from the Ministry of National Defense's Minister's office and others to select him as an interpreter for the Pyeongchang Olympics.

In response, Mr. Seo's legal team actively refuted media reports claiming that Minister Choo's aides made solicitous requests regarding Mr. Seo's unit assignment or job placement, stating in a separate statement, "The unit assignment and job placement for KATUSA soldiers are determined by a computer random draw in the presence of family members during the discharge ceremony." They have also disclosed three types of medical records related to Mr. Seo's knee surgery issued by Samsung Seoul Hospital, including surgical records and diagnosis certificates, as evidence supporting his medical leave.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice also announced the formation of the "Ministry of Justice Investigation Authority Reform Implementation Task Force" on the same day. Prosecutor General Shim Jae-cheol will serve as the team leader. The TF will be responsible for drafting and revising laws following the enforcement of the investigation authority reform law. It also plans to promote changes in the prosecution's work system and organizational restructuring reflecting the criminal justice system changes, as well as innovations in investigation procedures centered on human rights.

The Ministry of Justice stated that Minister Choo once again emphasized her unwavering commitment to "complete prosecution reform" on the occasion of the TF's launch.

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