Ministry of National Defense Rules Choo's Son's Sick Leave Legal... KATUSA Soldiers Criticize Interpretation as Somewhat Detached from Reality

KATUSA Gallery "Ministry of National Defense, Strongly Demands Fair and Just Judgment"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is entering the extraordinary Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 10th.
Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Amid controversy over the Ministry of National Defense concluding that there was no regulatory issue regarding preferential treatment allegations during the military service of Seo Mo (27), son of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, a statement demanding a fact-finding investigation was posted by the 'DC Inside KATUSA Gallery,' a group of active and reserve KATUSA soldiers.

On the 11th, the KATUSA Gallery released a statement titled "Together and Trust, Are These the Values the Ministry of National Defense Aims For?" saying, "The Ministry of National Defense judged that there was no regulatory problem with the first and second sick leaves related to the preferential leave allegations during Seo’s military service," but pointed out, "However, this interpretation seems somewhat detached from reality to all reservists, including the members of our KATUSA Gallery."

They questioned, "We want to ask whose interests the 'reference materials' presented by the Ministry of National Defense, which should maintain political neutrality, serve, and whether the Ministry can honestly claim that the standards of 'fairness and justice' are strictly upheld."

They continued, "Regarding the core issues of this case, such as 'the circumstances of the disappearance of Seo’s sick leave records,' 'the reason a staff member from Representative Choo Mi-ae’s office called the unit,' and 'whether the duty soldier and Seo had a phone conversation,' the Ministry has remained silent, making it impossible for the public to judge whether there was actual 'external pressure' influencing Seo’s sick leave extension."

They added, "The Ministry of National Defense’s explanation not only fails to dispel suspicions but rather fuels the current situation, causing confusion and conflict among active soldiers and reservists who are fulfilling their sacred duty of national defense, and has amplified these tensions. According to the Constitution, all those who bear the duty of military service in the Republic of Korea, regardless of rank, status, or military branch, are precious sons who deserve equal respect. We strongly urge the Ministry of National Defense to keep this in mind and make fair and just judgments."

On the 11th, a statement urging the Ministry of National Defense to uncover the truth regarding preferential treatment allegations during the military service of Seo Mo (27), son of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, was posted on the DC Inside KATUSA Gallery. Photo by DC Inside KATUSA Gallery

Earlier, the Ministry of National Defense stated that there was no regulatory issue regarding the preferential leave allegations involving the son of Minister Choo.

On the 10th, the Ministry distributed materials related to the 'Justice Minister’s Son’s Leave' to the press corps, explaining the petition leave procedures and KATUSA Army regulations.

In the explanatory materials, the Ministry stated, "The basis for petition leave for medical purposes is Article 12, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Status and Service of Military Personnel, which allows commanders to approve leave within 30 days for injuries or illnesses of soldiers."

It further emphasized, "According to Article 6, Paragraph 2 of the Directive on Health Insurance Care for Active Duty Soldiers, the commanding officer could approve an extension of petition leave within 20 days if the conditions of Article 3 were met."

Regarding Seo’s sick leave extension without undergoing military hospital care review, the Ministry explained, "In cases of hospitalization in civilian hospitals, a military hospital care review under Article 4 is required, but for petition leave extensions without hospitalization, as in Seo’s case, a military hospital care review is not applicable," stating that such a review was unnecessary.

It added, "The commanding officer could approve the petition leave extension without a military hospital care review under Article 12, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Status and Service of Military Personnel and Article 6, Paragraph 2 of the Directive."

Article 6, Paragraph 2 of the Directive on Health Insurance Care for Active Duty Soldiers specifies that the commanding officer may approve petition leave extensions within 20 days and that hospitalization in civilian hospitals requires a military hospital care review.

Regarding Seo’s extension of sick leave via phone call, the Ministry stated, "Leave is granted with the approval of the authority, and verbal approval can also authorize leave, but issuing a leave order as a subsequent administrative action is the principle. In cases of unavoidable circumstances during leave, extensions via phone or other means are permissible," deeming it lawful.

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