"Blatant Threats... 'Going to Psychiatry' Outcry from Ruling Party over 'Choo Son Controversy,' Duty Soldier's 'Fury' at 'Conspiracy Theory'"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae Faces Controversy Over Son's Military Favoritism Allegations
Ruling Party Raises Conspiracy Theories About Whistleblower Hyun
Harsh Criticism Poured on 'Pro-Moon' Hyun
Whistleblower Hyun Says "I Might Need to Go to a Psychiatric Hospital"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is attending the government-related questions session in the National Assembly plenary hall on the 14th, responding to lawmakers' inquiries. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Regarding the allegations of preferential treatment during military leave for the son of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, the ruling party has been raising "conspiracy theories" day after day. In particular, they have been continuously claiming that whistleblower Hyun Mo (26) might have some political motives by publicly revealing his real name. Hyun expressed strong feelings about the ruling party's criticism directed at him.

On the 13th, Kim Kyung-hyup, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, wrote on his Facebook, "Why did the whistleblower (duty soldier) who first raised the suspicion of preferential sick leave for Minister Choo's son lie that it was external pressure from the Army Headquarters captain?" and added, "We must uncover who ordered it and the mastermind behind it."

Earlier, on the 10th, Representative Kim also stated, "If the reason for sick leave did not apply but sick leave was taken, it is clearly preferential treatment and suspicion of a request or pressure can be raised. However, if the reason for sick leave applies, there is no problem," and claimed, "Opposition party members mobilized even key aides to manipulate the facts, but were exposed. This case is solidifying as a failed political operation."

Meanwhile, Hwang Hee, another member of the same party, revealed the real name of the duty soldier who raised the military service suspicion about Minister Choo's son on the 12th and suggested a conspiracy theory. On the 13th, he further criticized Hyun's report as politically motivated, saying, "It was a view on the forces behind trying to divide the people, obstruct prosecution reform, and neutralize the National Assembly audit amid the difficult situation of COVID-19 and economic crisis. Since preferential treatment claims have been continuously and repeatedly made through various media, I think there must be some intentional forces behind it."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Jong-min is making supportive remarks regarding Minister Chu Mi-ae during the political sector government questioning held at the National Assembly plenary session on the afternoon of the 14th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response to the ongoing conspiracy theories and criticism from the ruling party, Hyun told the Chosun Ilbo in an interview, "They are blatantly threatening me."

After Hyun reported the issue regarding Minister Choo's son, various criticisms poured onto his Facebook. These ranged from vulgar insults toward his parents to conspiracy theories suggesting he colluded with the opposition party, the People Power Party. In this situation, Hyun appealed, "I am being harassed so much by unreasonable people that I might have to visit a psychiatric hospital."

Meanwhile, Minister Choo said during the National Assembly's government questioning on the 14th about the allegations of preferential treatment during her son's military service, "Even when he was hospitalized or sick, I was not able to visit him," and added, "He is a son to whom I have never properly played the role of a mother." She emphasized, "Since he was young, he has been 'the son of a public figure,' so he solves almost all problems by himself."

Regarding the apology post she uploaded on Facebook, she explained, "It is not appropriate to mention details of an ongoing investigation by the prosecution, but I expressed my feelings because I thought it was undesirable for the public to feel more discomfort during the difficult COVID-19 situation."

Regarding claims that the duty soldier made false statements, she mentioned, "I also think the whistleblower soldier might have misunderstood or made speculative assumptions unilaterally."

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