Investigation by Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors into Minister Choo Mi-ae's Son's Alleged Interpreter Appointment Request

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The prosecution has launched a full-scale investigation into allegations of preferential leave during the military service of Seo Mo (27), son of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, as well as suspicions of improper influence in Seo's selection as an interpreter soldier.

On the 14th, according to the prosecution, the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office assigned the case of Minister Choo being accused of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act to the Criminal Division 1 (Chief Prosecutor Kim Deok-gon). Earlier, on the 9th, the civic group Action Alliance for Establishing the Rule of Law (Beopse-ryeon) filed a complaint with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, alleging that Minister Choo had improperly solicited regarding her child's selection as an interpreter soldier and visa issuance, violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.

Beopse-ryeon stated at the time, "According to publicly released recordings of the former commander of the U.S. 8th Army Korea Support Group, Minister Choo's side requested in 2017 that her son Seo be selected as an interpreter soldier for the PyeongChang Olympics, and there was also a solicitation call from the Democratic Party's party leader's office, where Minister Choo was then the representative," adding, "This is a clear improper solicitation involving wrongful execution of duties."

They further claimed, "The fact that calls were made from the party leader's office regarding personal matters only known to Minister Choo can only be seen as Minister Choo explicitly or implicitly directing this."

They also said, "Minister Choo's aide reportedly requested a Ministry of Foreign Affairs liaison officer, who was dispatched to the National Assembly around 2017, to expedite the visa issuance for Minister Choo's daughter under Minister Choo's instructions," adding, "This constitutes an improper solicitation to unlawfully process duties such as approvals and applications."

Meanwhile, the Criminal Division 1 of the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office is also investigating complaints related to Seo's leave allegations involving Seo, Minister Choo's former aide, and military officials, and summoned Seo for questioning on the 13th.

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