[Full Text] Minister Choo Mi-ae's Statement: "Apologies to the People... Prosecutorial Reform Will Be Completed Without Fail"

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae has expressed regret for the first time regarding allegations of special favors during her son's military service. Minister Choo stated, "I sincerely apologize to the people," and emphasized, "I have never said that black is white." However, she did not clarify her position on suspicions related to her son's military unit assignment or the selection process for interpreters during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

On the 13th, Minister Choo posted on her Facebook, "I have endured and refrained from speaking until now," explaining, "This was due to concerns that, as Minister of Justice, I should not influence the ongoing prosecution investigation." She continued, "Now is the time for truth. Lies and distortions may temporarily obscure the truth, but they cannot do so forever. Black is black, and white is white," stressing, "I have never said that black is white."

She also opened up about her family situation. Minister Choo mentioned that her husband is disabled with a leg injury from a traffic accident, saying, "Even my son underwent surgery on both legs. He returned to his unit without full recovery. As a mother, how could I not worry whether my son would suffer lifelong aftereffects?" She added, "However, I trusted the Republic of Korea military and entrusted everything to them," and said, "My son returned to normal unit life, completed his military service healthily and diligently. I have always been grateful to the military, then and now."

Despite denying allegations related to her son, she expressed her intention not to resign. Regarding the suspicions, Minister Choo said, "There was absolutely no reason to violate any procedures," and "Whether any illegal acts occurred as some have suspected is being investigated by the prosecution, and I am quietly waiting."

She particularly stated, "I have upheld principles in the face of any adversity and will continue to protect them as if my life depends on it," adding, "This incident will be an opportunity for me to reflect on myself. I will examine my attitude more humbly and consider it more deeply." She also said, "Fulfilling the task of prosecutorial reform without wavering is the will of the people and my fateful duty," and concluded, "I will surely complete prosecutorial reform."

Below is the full statement from Minister Choo Mi-ae.

1. The entire nation is going through difficult times due to the COVID-19 crisis. In this situation, I am causing concern over issues related to my son's military service. First, I sincerely apologize to the people.

2. I have endured and refrained from speaking until now. The reason was concern that, as Minister of Justice, I should not influence the ongoing prosecution investigation. The truth must be clearly revealed through the prosecution's investigation. My son is fully cooperating with the investigation. The prosecution must serve only the people's command to uncover the substantive truth, without regard to anyone.

3. My son underwent surgery on his left knee before enlistment. Despite concerns that I might become embroiled in political controversy, he did not avoid enlistment. During his military service, he had to undergo surgery on his right knee as well. He took sick leave to have the surgery at the same hospital where he had his left knee operated on. Although the hospital diagnosed that more than three months of rest was necessary after surgery, my son returned to his unit in less than a month. Of course, he completed the remainder of his military service.

That is all. No one wants to be sick in the military. The military was prepared to take good care of sick soldiers and recommends maximum treatment according to regulations. Therefore, there was absolutely no reason to violate any procedures. Whether any illegal acts occurred as some have suspected is being investigated by the prosecution, and I am quietly waiting.

4. My husband is disabled with a leg injury from a traffic accident. I chose him as my lifelong partner, thinking I could support his disabled leg. However, even my son underwent surgery on both legs. He returned to his unit without full recovery. As a mother, how could I not worry whether my son would suffer lifelong aftereffects? However, I trusted the Republic of Korea military and entrusted everything to them.

My son received proper treatment like other sons of Korea, returned to normal unit life, and completed his military service healthily and diligently. I have always been grateful to the military, then and now.

I was not able to be by my son's side on the day he enlisted or the day he was discharged. It was the same on the day he finished the long eight-week training period when parents who sent their sons to the military miss them the most. I raised my son to face challenges alone, but I am always a mother who feels sorry for only expecting understanding.

5. Now is the time for truth.

Lies and distortions may temporarily obscure the truth, but they cannot do so forever.

Black is black, and white is white. I have never said that black is white. If there was a mistake in judgment, I would have performed the traditional three bows of apology. Because of that, my legs have been damaged to the extent that I cannot wear high heels. I, my husband, and my son's painful legs are not a shame to hide from the people but rather a consolation that we have bravely overcome hardship. I will reflect more and make greater efforts to ensure this.

6. I have upheld principles in the face of any adversity. I will continue to protect these principles as if my life depends on it. This is the reason and purpose I engage in politics. This incident will be an opportunity for me to reflect on myself. I will examine my attitude more humbly and consider it more deeply.

7. I believe that fulfilling the task of prosecutorial reform without wavering is the will of the people and my fateful duty.

I will surely complete prosecutorial reform.

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