Choo Mi-ae's 'Facebook Apology'... People Power Party Says "What We Are Asking Is a Legal Issue"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Regarding Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's apology on Facebook on the 13th concerning the controversy over her son's leave, the People Power Party pointed out, "What we are asking about is a matter of law."

People Power Party spokesperson Bae Jun-young said in a statement that day, "I have come to understand that Minister Choo has had many personal struggles as a mother and wife and is going through a process of overcoming them. I offer my deepest condolences. We also support her in overcoming this well."

Spokesperson Bae added, "However, what we are asking about is a matter of law," and pointed out, "Additionally, we are asking whether opportunities are equal, whether the process is fair, and whether the outcome is just."

He expressed concern, saying, "Moreover, the Minister said she would not receive reports on this investigation, but her position changed within a day or two, and she actively wrote on Facebook. If investigators see this Facebook content or media reports, wouldn't it affect the investigation?"

Spokesperson Bae said, "Previously, she spoke on Facebook about the policy of separating real estate assets. This time, she made statements that can be interpreted as messages related to the military," and added, "Please do not ignore the sarcastic voices coming from the Ministry of National Defense suggesting that what she intends to do is defense reform."

Professor Kim Geun-sik of Gyeongnam National University, who is the People Power Party's Seoul Songpa-byeong district committee chairman, criticized on Facebook, "Apologizing verbally but internally making excuses that there is no fault," and said, "Outwardly sorry, but inwardly stubborn that there is no guilt."

He criticized, "They say there is no problem with the long continuous leave on the 23rd. They say there was no special treatment or petition for the leave extension," and added, "While saying they will not receive reports related to the investigation, it is as if they have already decided the answer and are telling the prosecution the answer."

Professor Kim recalled the impeachment attempt against the late President Roh Moo-hyun, mentioning that if there was a misjudgment in the situation, he would have performed the three-step, one-bow ritual, and said, "The fact that the order to take charge of the investigation into collusion between prosecutors and media ended in futility is itself worthy of the three-step, one-bow ritual," and raised his voice, "Even now, sincerely apologize and resign cleanly."

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