Choo Mi-ae Dismisses Resignation Calls, Saying "Prosecutor Reform Is My Destiny"

"No Call Made to Aide Over Son's Issue," Denies Again

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] On the 14th, Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae drew a line regarding the opposition party's demand for her resignation over allegations of special favors during her son's military service, stating, "Prosecutorial reform is the task entrusted to me."

During the National Assembly's government questioning session that day, in response to People's Power lawmaker Yoon Jae-ok's question, "Do you not think you are becoming a burden to the President's administration? Are you willing to resign voluntarily?" Minister Chu said, "(I will) accept (prosecutorial reform) as my destiny and do my best. This is the answer I can give."

Minister Chu again denied making a phone call to a secretary regarding her son's military leave extension that day. Previously, during the full session of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, she denied by saying, "Would a secretary take orders for such a personal matter?" even after a recording of a duty soldier who received the call was released, she dismissed it again.

However, when asked by People's Power lawmaker Park Hyung-soo whether a secretary had called Minister Chu's son's unit, she replied, "I do not know." When asked if she had checked after the Budget Committee session, she said, "I do not want to check. Because I cannot interfere with the investigation," adding, "Making phone contact with related parties itself would raise suspicion."

She also emphasized that no application for leave extension was submitted to the Ministry of National Defense's civil affairs office. Minister Chu said, "Regarding the phrase that it has been confirmed that my husband submitted a civil complaint, I am not in a position to ask him," adding, "I am also curious. I want to say that the suspicion grows because the prosecution is not investigating, and my son and I are the biggest victims. It can only be revealed through investigation."

Regarding the possibility of requesting a special prosecutor or a special investigation headquarters, she expressed a de facto opposition stance, saying, "It must meet the requirements." When asked if she would approve if the Prosecutor General proposed the formation of a special investigation headquarters, she said, "It must comply with laws and regulations and be reasonable," adding, "Let's see the answer when the time comes," withholding further comment.

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