Lee Jae-o: "People Are Stressed Because of Chu Mi-ae"

Choi Jin-bong "It's Not a Matter for Resignation"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae attending the political sector government questioning session held on the 14th at the National Assembly plenary session hall in Yeouido, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Former Saenuri Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) lawmaker Lee Jae-oh sharply criticized Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae regarding allegations of special treatment for her son's military service, stating, "She must take responsibility and resign not as a mother, but as the Minister of Justice."

On the 14th, Lee appeared on CBS's 'Sisa Jaki with Jung Kwan-yong' and commented on the allegations of military favoritism involving Minister Choo's son, Mr. Seo, saying, "(Minister Choo) should not offer a half-hearted apology; if she truly cares for the people, resignation is the right course."

He pointed out, "Do you know how much stress the public is under because of Minister Choo? It's not about whether her son had knee pain or pain in his left or right leg; the issue is that he went on leave but did not return on the scheduled date."

He added, "If the leave ended, he should have returned and then taken leave again if needed, but not returning at all is desertion," emphasizing, "As the Minister of Justice, she must take responsibility and resign."

On the other hand, Professor Choi Jin-bong of Sungkonghoe University, who appeared alongside him, argued, "I do not see this as a matter warranting resignation," and countered, "In recent years, military culture has changed, and it has been clarified that sick leave can be granted by phone."

Professor Choi stated, "If it were completely against regulations or principles held by the Ministry of National Defense, it would be a problem, but if not, raising suspicions and criticism is possible, but it is not an issue warranting resignation."

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party. / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Furthermore, Professor Choi criticized People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in's appeal to postpone the large-scale rally scheduled for Gaecheonjeol by comparing it to the March 1st Independence Movement of 1919, saying, "It was very inappropriate to equate those who intended to hold the Gaecheonjeol rally with those who risked their lives fighting for national independence during the March 1st Movement," and added, "It dishonors the dignity of those who participated in the March 1st Movement."

Earlier, on the 10th, Chairman Kim said at the Emergency Committee meeting held at the National Assembly, "I sincerely ask everyone to postpone the rally and stand with the people," and "I am deeply moved thinking of our ancestors who, despite the 1919 Spanish flu that killed 130,000 compatriots and threw the entire country into panic, risked their lives out of patriotism to participate in the Independence Movement."

Regarding this, Professor Choi said, "If he had simply said, 'Please do not come out this Gaecheonjeol,' there would have been no problem," and questioned, "Why compare it to those who participated in the March 1st Movement?"

He added, "The public is anxious, and there is a growing risk that the Gaecheonjeol rally could become a blind spot in quarantine measures," expressing concern that "(Those attending the large-scale rally) might feel motivated to participate with the spirit of the March 1st Movement."

Meanwhile, former lawmaker Lee acknowledged, "It is true that comparing it to the March 1st Movement was inappropriate," but countered, "However, since not only Christian gatherings but also people criticizing the current government are participating, it seems to imply that it is similar to the March 1st Movement where people stood up for justice."

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