Jung Kyung-doo: "How Would I Know If Private Seo Had a Leave Order... Interview Records Exist"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-du defended against allegations that Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's son took leave without a leave order, saying, "How would I know if there was a leave order or not?" and "It is recorded in the interview log."

On the 15th, Minister Jeong responded to a question from Shin Won-sik, a member of the People Power Party, during a National Assembly government questioning session, saying, "(The interview log) remains in the electronic government system."

Rep. Shin pointed out, "The interview log is just one part of the process to legalize a leave. Having the interview log alone cannot legalize leave taken without a leave order."

Minister Choo's son, Mr. Seo, took 19 days of sick leave but is under suspicion of external pressure because there is no official document, such as a leave order, to prove it. When Rep. Shin pointed out the absence of the leave order, Minister Jeong replied, "As you pointed out, a leave order should have been issued, but since it was not provided, there was an administrative error."

When Rep. Shin raised suspicion, asking, "Isn't it because there is no basis for the 19-day sick leave and there is concern about being caught in an audit?" Minister Jeong cited the interview records as evidence, stating, "There is a diagnosis record from a military doctor at Samsung Hospital for the first sick leave, and there is a record indicating a 10-day sick leave."

When Rep. Shin pressed again, asking, "How did he leave without a leave certificate?" Minister Jeong responded, "How would I know if there was a leave certificate or not?" Currently, the military's internal electronic system lacks the leave order and related documents to prove the sick leave, leaving only the indirect evidence of the interview log record.

Rep. Shin also pointed out that there is no basis for Mr. Seo's 19-day sick leave itself. He said, "According to regulations, there are three reasons that allow sick leave exceeding 10 days annually, and Mr. Seo does not fall under any of these," adding, "The military doctor said 'sufficient treatment is possible at the military hospital,' and he underwent a simple surgery at Samsung Hospital and was discharged in just three days."

Minister Jeong responded, "Based on the facts I have identified, considering all those factors, the basic procedures were likely followed," and said, "Those records exist." He added, "(Private Seo) communicated to his commander how long it would take to fully recover his health until completing the medical treatment, and the commander must have approved it," adding, "Because there are those who approved it, it will be revealed through the prosecution's investigation."

Rep. Shin also pointed out preferential treatment for Private Seo. Rep. Shin said, "Is there any soldier in the entire army who had a surgery that took less than an hour, was hospitalized for three days, then took 19 days of undocumented sick leave and extended leave by phone?" Minister Jeong replied, "It should not be compared with anyone else. There are 35 cases of leave extensions and 5 cases of double extensions in the Korean Army Support Group," adding, "In the entire Army, 3,173 people have had such extensions."

When Rep. Shin asked, "Were those extensions made before the leave, or were they made afterward by a phone call from an aide like Private Seo's case?" Minister Jeong replied, "I believe all were done in advance, and I think Minister Choo's son also obtained prior approval."

Regarding the suggestion to establish a joint military-police investigation team since active-duty soldiers are under investigation, Minister Jeong consistently said, "I will wait for the results of the prosecution's investigation."

In his final remarks, Rep. Shin said, "Last year, the 'Joro-nambul' (Jo Guk + double standards), and this year, the 'Churo-nambul' (Choo Mi-ae + double standards) have shattered fairness, justice, rule of law, and national defense in South Korea," adding, "This is why the public is outraged by the privileged leave allegations of Private Seo, distorted by the loopholes and unfairness that the late President Roh Moo-hyun worked so hard to eliminate."

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