Jin Joong-kwon: "Chu Mi-ae Omits Parts Needing Explanation... Only Talks Irrelevant Matters"

" Husband's Traffic Accident and Prosecutorial Reform Talk Unrelated to the Issue"
Choo "Apologize to the Public for Son's Military Issue"... Emphasizes 'Prosecutorial Reform'

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon is giving a lecture on the topic "Talking about Korean Society: The Future of Ideology, Generation, and Culture" at a seminar hosted by the Economic and Social Research Institute held on the afternoon of July 2nd at Choi In-ah Bookstore in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae for issuing an apology regarding allegations of "special leave" during her son Seo's military service, saying, "She omits everything that should be said and only talks about irrelevant things."

On the 13th, Jin posted on his Facebook, "She did apologize, but I have no idea 'why' she apologized. The reason is not stated," he said.

He pointed out, "Why mention that her husband was in a car accident, and why bring up prosecutorial reform in this context? What does that have to do with the issue? She claims she upheld principles. If she upheld principles, why apologize? She should be asking for praise," he said.

He continued, "She only rambled on with unnecessary talk and omitted all the parts that need explanation," adding, "Let me once again point out what explanations the public wants to hear from the minister."

Jin criticized, "Why did a lawmaker’s aide call her son’s military unit? A lawmaker’s aide performs official duties. Having such an aide take care of her son’s affairs constitutes private use of public resources. There should be an explanation regarding this," he said.

He added, "She should have also explained why she called the Ministry of National Defense’s civil affairs office. Her son is an adult and was not lying in the ICU on a ventilator. There are reports that the unit told him, 'Next time, you should handle this yourself.' This suggests he felt pressured by external influence," he criticized.

Regarding the allegations of requests related to interpreter selection, he said, "There are at least three witnesses who consistently testify that there was a request. But how would the Ministry of National Defense’s policy aide know that her son wanted to be selected as an interpreter?" he questioned.

He said, "She apologized for causing public concern, but I have no idea 'what' caused the concern. According to the apology statement, she did nothing wrong. From the public’s perspective, even if they accept the apology, they should at least know 'what' the apology is for," he said.

Finally, he added, "It’s getting worse. What could have been stopped with a hoe is now being stopped with a plow, and now they’re calling in an excavator."

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae arrived at the Government Seoul Office on the afternoon of the 11th to attend the key issues meeting chaired by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and is on the move. Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier that day, Minister Choo posted on her Facebook, "I am causing concern due to issues related to my son’s military service. First, I sincerely apologize to the public," she said.

She stated, "As Minister of Justice, I have refrained from speaking out of concern that it might affect the ongoing prosecution investigation. The truth must be clearly revealed through the investigation. My son is fully cooperating with the investigation. The prosecution should serve only the public’s order to uncover the substantive truth without being influenced by anyone," she said.

Regarding the allegations of special leave for Seo, she explained, "My son had surgery on his left knee before enlisting. Despite concerns that I might face political controversy, he did not avoid enlistment. During his service, he had to undergo surgery on his right knee as well. Therefore, he took sick leave to have surgery on his right knee at the same hospital where he had his left knee operated on," she explained.

She continued, "Although the hospital diagnosed that more than three months of rest was needed 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 on purpose in the military. The military was prepared to take good care of sick soldiers and encourages maximum treatment according to regulations. There was no reason to violate any procedures. Whether there was any illegality as some suspect is being investigated by the prosecution, and I am quietly waiting," she said.

Minister Choo added, "My husband is disabled with a leg injury from a car accident. My son also had surgery on both legs and returned to his unit without full recovery. As a mother, how could I not worry that my son might suffer lifelong aftereffects? However, I trusted the Republic of Korea’s military and entrusted everything to them. My son received good treatment like other sons of Korea, returned to his unit normally, and completed his military service healthily and diligently," she added.

She said, "Falsehoods and distortions may temporarily obscure the truth, but they cannot do so forever. If I had made a wrong judgment, I would have performed a deep apology. I, my husband, and my son’s injured legs are not shameful secrets to hide from the public but rather a source of comfort for overcoming hardship. I will reflect more and work harder so that this can be the case," she said. "I have always upheld principles in the face of any adversity. I will take this opportunity to look back on myself, examine my attitude more humbly, and consider things more deeply," she stated.

Minister Choo emphasized, "I believe it is the public’s will and my fateful duty to carry out prosecutorial reform without wavering. I will definitely complete prosecutorial reform," she stressed.

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