Lee Hae-chan "Opposition, talking about KATUSA then bringing up my daughter... What are they trying to do?"

'Who is the most threatening in the opposition?' question answered with "No particularly prominent figure"

Lee Hae-chan, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Lee Hae-chan, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the opposition party for raising allegations of preferential treatment during the military service of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's son on the 11th, calling it "nonsense."

Lee appeared on the YouTube channel 'Ddanji Broadcasting Station' on the program 'Kim Eo-jun's Das Boida' and said, "If they talked about Minister Choo's work, I wouldn't know, but they talked a lot about KATUSA and when that didn't work, they brought up her daughter," adding, "What is this behavior supposed to achieve?"

He continued, "They are not addressing various prosecutorial reform plans or personnel matters but are focusing on the children’s issues," and added, "It would be better to talk about the essence."

When asked if the People Power Party is trying to use the preferential treatment allegations to take over the government, he dismissed it as "a dream."

He added, "Isn't that why they suffered a crushing defeat in the last election?"

When asked who among the People Power Party personnel is the most threatening, he replied, "There doesn't seem to be anyone particularly prominent yet," but added, "You can think of voters as a kind of sea. When the water rises, the boat floats, and during elections, both our camp and their camp reach high tide."

He continued, "Because there is a voter base, whoever rises will rise," emphasizing, "It should not be taken lightly."

When asked if he had any advice for the ruling party’s leading presidential candidates, Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon and Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, he said, "It is not yet a situation where I can give such advice," and refrained from commenting further.

Earlier on the 10th, the Ministry of National Defense stated that there was "no procedural problem" regarding allegations that Minister Choo’s son, Seo, received preferential leave during his military service. The Ministry disclosed leave regulations and said, "Seo’s extension of sick leave does not violate the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Status and Service of Soldiers or the training related to health insurance treatment for active duty soldiers."

Seo reportedly did not return to his unit after completing his first sick leave and verbally received approval for a second sick leave. According to the Army’s barracks life regulations, the Ministry explained that it is possible to contact the unit by phone or verbally to get permission for leave extension.

Meanwhile, the ruling party showed active support for Minister Choo on the 11th regarding the preferential treatment allegations surrounding Seo.

On the same day, Kim Jong-min, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, appeared on the party’s YouTube channel 'Sseum' for an emergency live broadcast with party members Seol Hoon and Hwang Hee, stating, "The People Power Party exaggerates and attacks the Moon Jae-in government and the Democratic Party whenever they get a chance," and added, "The history of attacks on the late former President Roh Moo-hyun and former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, fueled by unscrupulous agitation by reactionary political forces, collusion with political prosecutors, and biased media support, must not be repeated."

He also said, "I apologize to those who have been frustrated because the Democratic Party has not responded actively so far," and emphasized, "We will definitely secure 180 seats to change the Republic of Korea in the future."

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