Lee Jun-seok "Choo Mi-ae, Helicopter Mom? More Like Bomber Mom Level"

Lee Jun-seok, former Supreme Council member of the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Former Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, Lee Jun-seok, criticized Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's apology regarding the special treatment allegations during her son's military service, saying it is "hard to see it as an apology."

In an interview with KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' on the 14th, Lee summarized Minister Choo's statement in three lines: "Sorry for the noise," "Let the prosecution investigate as they see fit," and "I did nothing wrong." He pointed out, "It is difficult to regard this as an apology; it is more like an expression of regret, and I am not sure if it will resolve the public's suspicions or dissatisfaction."

Lee added, "All citizens are concerned not just about the presence of the medical certificate but also about the timing of its submission and the channels used during the extension process. However, the ruling party keeps saying things like 'It is true that surgery was performed.' But now, such explanations no longer hold water."

He continued, "Since it is about his own son, it seems like he is holding back his words, but the public remembers that he did not hold back," and questioned, "What kind of submissive attitude is it to say 'You're just writing novels' and to appear reluctant to speak?"

He further stated, "Such remarks actively disregard the public," and added, "I hope the Democratic Party does not fiercely defend this."

In response, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-guk, who appeared together, defended Minister Choo's remarks, saying, "What she probably wanted to say most was to express her apologies to the public."

He added, "In fact, there is nothing particularly problematic," and explained, "The Army operates an Army Band, and each unit has a mothers' group chat. If a leave of absence is needed, the mother directly calls the unit commander and battalion commander to request the leave."

He then pointed out, "All of this is possible, but I think it has come to this point because of the opposition party's political attacks."

Hearing this, former Supreme Council Member Lee said, "Is that what many people generally think of as a good, advanced military?" and criticized, "Parents nagging the band or company commanders is reported in the media as a negative military culture. This is not just a helicopter mom level for our country's Minister of Justice; this is a bomber mom." He added, "Such explanations will not be good for Minister Choo either."

Earlier, on the previous day, Minister Choo apologized on her Facebook regarding the allegations during her son's military service, saying, "I sincerely apologize to the public." She also stated, "Lies and distortions may temporarily obscure the truth, but they cannot do so forever," and vowed, "I will definitely complete the prosecution reform."

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