Jeon Yeo-ok "Choo Mi-ae's Apology Letter Makes the Public Furious... Won't Last Long"

"When Apologizing, It Must Be Clean... Seems Like They Don't Know Their Mistake"

Jeon Yeo-ok, former Saenuri Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) lawmaker. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Former Saenuri Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) lawmaker Jeon Yeo-ok criticized Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, who posted an apology regarding allegations of preferential treatment for her son in the military, saying, "It seems she doesn't know what she did wrong."

On the 14th, Jeon posted on her blog, "The apology only made the public angrier; (Minister Choo's) apology is not really an apology," expressing this view.

She pointed out, "When apologizing, it should be done cleanly and simply, but she filled it with emotional appeals, mentioning her disabled husband, her son with leg problems, and that she can't wear high heels due to doing the 'samboilbae' (three steps, one bow) ritual," adding, "Anything excessive causes backlash."

She continued, "Many people worry that Minister Choo might stubbornly hold on, but that seems unlikely."

Regarding Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Hee, who defended Minister Choo, Jeon criticized, "There is nothing to see, but there are widespread rumors that he was elected just because of the name 'Hwang Hee.' Although anyone can become a lawmaker these days, many felt he was really not suitable."

Earlier, on the 12th, Lawmaker Hwang caused controversy by criticizing a whistleblower who raised allegations of military preferential treatment for Minister Choo's son, Seo, by mentioning the whistleblower's real name. He also used terms like 'sole offender' to describe the whistleblower, drawing public backlash.

Jeon said about this, "It's shocking where they learned such a bad habit of intimidating and threatening the public," and added, "Which side do you think the public identifies with more: Minister Choo's son or the on-duty soldier that day? Lawmaker Hwang scored a goal for the People Power Party with all his might."

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae arriving and moving at the Government Seoul Office on the afternoon of the 11th to attend the major issues meeting chaired by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Jeon also criticized Democratic Party lawmaker Seol Hoon, saying, "His life is full of lies, and this time he spewed sophistry again," and added, "'If you didn't have to go to the military but went, whether you deserted or received preferential treatment, you should be praised.' Does he receive his salary by raising the public's blood pressure?"

On the 1st, at the National Assembly Defense Committee's full meeting, Lawmaker Seol said, "Private Seo (Minister Choo's son) had knee surgery before joining the military and was eligible not to serve, but due to his mother's social status, he decided, 'I don't have to go, but I will,' and went to the military," defending Minister Choo.

He also said, "The idea of creating a new committee over this issue is an excessive political attack. The fact that someone who could avoid military service went is not something to be praised."

Jeon sarcastically criticized ruling party lawmakers who defended Minister Choo, saying, "Don't worry that Minister Choo's imperial desertion and abuse of power might fade away. From Lawmaker Hwang to Lawmaker Kim, they are very reliable."

Meanwhile, on the 13th, Minister Choo posted an apology on her Facebook regarding the allegations of military preferential treatment for her son.

Minister Choo said, "I am sorry for causing concern over issues during my son's military service," and expressed, "I sincerely apologize to the public."

She explained, "My son had surgery on his left knee before enlistment but did not avoid service due to my concerns about political controversy. During his military 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 surgery."

She added, "Although the hospital diagnosed that more than three months of rest was necessary after surgery, my son returned to the unit in less than a month. Of course, he completed the remainder of his military service," and claimed, "That is all. The military was prepared to take good care of a sick soldier and regulations recommended maximum treatment, so there was no reason to violate any procedures."

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