Defense Ministry Rules 'No Issue' in Minister Chu's Son's 'Leave Privilege Allegation'

Disclosure of Regulations on Leave of Absence Procedures and KATUSA Army Regulations

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is arriving at the Government Complex Gwacheon on the 10th. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of National Defense has stated that there is no regulatory issue regarding the allegations of preferential treatment in leave granted to Mr. Seo, the son of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae. Despite the spread of allegations of preferential treatment, the Ministry of National Defense, which had remained silent, denied the suspicions by publicly disclosing internal regulations for the first time.

On the 10th, the Ministry of National Defense distributed reference materials to the press corps detailing the petition leave procedures and KATUSA Army regulations.

Mr. Seo took his first sick leave from June 5 to 14, 2017, and then did not return to the unit but used a second sick leave from June 15 to 23. Afterwards, he took four days of personal leave from the 24th and returned to the unit on the 27th. Allegations of preferential treatment during these two leave extension processes were raised mainly by opposition parties.

In response, the Ministry of National Defense cited the Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on the Status and Service of Military Personnel, stating that leave due to injury or illness of a soldier can be approved by the commander within a 30-day limit. It also explained that Article 6, Paragraph 2 of the "Active Duty Soldiers' Health Insurance Medical Care Directive" allows the unit commander to approve petition leave extensions within 20 days, and that hospitalization in civilian hospitals requires review by the military hospital medical care committee. There had been controversy over the fact that Mr. Seo's leave process did not go through the military hospital medical care review.

The Ministry also emphasized that Mr. Seo's leave extension was in accordance with Article 65 of the "Unit Management Directive" and Article 111 of the "Army Barracks Life Regulations." According to the relevant regulations, the authority to approve leave can be granted verbally, and if there are unavoidable reasons during leave, the extension can be approved via phone or other means.

It was also confirmed that Mr. Seo's leave as a KATUSA soldier was based on Korean military regulations, not U.S. military regulations. According to Army Regulation 117, "Regulations on the Management of the Republic of Korea Support Group and KATUSA," the "Republic of Korea Support Group" is under the command and control of the U.S. Army in Korea but is under the control of the Army Personnel Command for personnel administration and management. The leave period and reasons are governed by the Army Barracks Life Regulations, and leave must be approved by the local commander of the Republic of Korea Support Group.

The Ministry also refuted allegations surrounding the selection process of interpreters for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. The Ministry stated, "The classification of soldiers' units and positions in the Republic of Korea Support Group is conducted through computerized classification in a public place where the soldiers' parents are present, according to the administrative regulations of the U.S. Eighth Army Korea Support Group, the Army Personnel Management Regulations, and internal plans," adding, "The interpreter selection was confirmed to have been conducted by lottery among applicants."

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