Ruling Party Calls for 'Prosecution Reform'... Growing Criticism of "Churonaemul" Hypocrisy

Ruling Party Emphasizes 'Prosecutor Reform' in Government Questioning... Criticism Floods In: "Is This a Defensive Card?"
President Moon and Ruling Party Support Both Decline... "Impact of Minister Choo's Son's Vacation Controversy"
Experts Say "Support Rate Drop Reflects Dilemma... Minister Choo's Decision Needed"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae arrived and is moving to attend the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] The controversy surrounding allegations of 'special leave' during the military service of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's son, Seo Mo (27), is spreading. The National Assembly's interpellation session has turned into a fierce debate over the allegations involving Minister Choo's son. The ruling party labels the suspicions related to Seo as a 'political attack' and calls for prosecutorial reform, but critical public opinion is intensifying. The opposition party has demanded Minister Choo's resignation.

Voices of criticism have also emerged among citizens. Drawing parallels to the former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk scandal, some have mocked Minister Choo with the term 'Churo-nambul,' a play on the Korean phrase 'naero-nambul' (meaning "double standards" or "what's allowed for me is forbidden for others"), implying "if I do it, it's romance; if others do it, it's an affair." Amid ongoing criticism, support for President Moon Jae-in and the Democratic Party of Korea has declined, especially among those in their 20s. Experts diagnose that the Blue House and the party are caught in a 'dilemma' due to the Minister Choo issue.

Both ruling and opposition parties engaged in a two-day battle during the interpellation session over Seo's alleged special leave. While opposition lawmakers launched aggressive attacks, ruling party members defended Minister Choo and repeatedly emphasized prosecutorial reform.

Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Cheong-rae stated on the 14th, "The whole country is noisy with baseless rumors and hearsay about Minister Choo. Although the controversy is being exaggerated nationwide, the Ministry of National Defense's announcement is somewhat calming the situation," adding, "This is a political conspiracy concocted by political soldiers and prosecutors who love former President Park Geun-hye, the political party that follows her, and the Taegeukgi (Korean flag) faction."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min criticized on the 15th, "The People Power Party is obstructing prosecutorial reform," and said, "They try to find even the smallest flaw to attack those who want to reform the prosecution, and if there is none, they fabricate something to politically damage them."

Fellow party member Ahn Kyu-baek also demanded during questioning of Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo, "Both sides are poking suspicions like playing Russian roulette," and urged, "Firmly respond to exaggerations and reckless suspicions."

The opposition immediately pushed back. Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, urged Minister Choo to make a decision during a floor strategy meeting on the 15th. He said, "All national institutions of the Republic of Korea are collapsing to protect one person in power," and strongly criticized, "President Moon Jae-in said the 20,000 won communication fee was a small consolation, but what the people really want to hear is not a small consolation worth 20,000 won, but that the country is running properly and justice is being realized."

He added, "I hope the minister does not fight with the people or with justice, and makes a prompt decision before it is too late."

People Power Party lawmaker Shin Won-sik also pointed out the ruling party's claim of 'political attack,' saying, "Last year’s 'Jo-ro-nambul' has evolved into this year’s 'Chu-ro-nambul,' deepening the public’s despair. The public is angry about the emperor-like military service manipulation."

People Power Party lawmaker Sung Il-jong criticized, "Those who shouted 'People first' have become those who say 'The regime's influential children first,'" and said, "Those who promised a world without privilege and unfairness have become champions of privilege and unfairness."

Meanwhile, Minister Choo reiterated her commitment to prosecutorial reform. On the 13th, she posted on her Facebook, "I am sorry for causing concern over issues related to my son's military service. First, I sincerely apologize to the public," but added, "I believe it is the will of the people and my fateful duty to carry out prosecutorial reform without wavering. I will definitely complete prosecutorial reform."

Members of parent organizations such as the Education Reform Movement Headquarters and the Education Protection Solidarity held a press conference on the 15th in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, calling for the prosecution of Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Hee, who publicly revealed the real name of the on-duty soldier Hyun Mo, who first raised suspicions of special leave privileges for Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's son, and demanding Minister Choo's resignation. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, some citizens have called for Minister Choo's resignation. They also expressed opposition to her prosecutorial reform intentions. Critics argue that advocating for prosecutorial reform while allegations surrounding Minister Choo's children remain unresolved is contradictory. There are also claims that the allegations have been ignored under the pretext of prosecutorial reform.

Through online communities and social media, hashtag campaigns such as '#IAmTheDutySoldier' and '#WeAreTheCurrentSergeants' have been launched, demanding Minister Choo's resignation.

Members of parent organizations such as the Education Reform Movement Headquarters and the Education Protection Solidarity held a press conference on the 15th in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, urging Minister Choo to resign. The groups stated, "Duty soldiers are our sons. Do not touch a single hair," and demanded, "Minister Choo must resign immediately so that the investigation into her son can be properly conducted."

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae attended the political sector interpellation session held at the National Assembly plenary session on the 14th and responded to lawmakers' questions. Photo by Yonhap News

As the dispute over the alleged special treatment of Minister Choo's son during his military service continues, support for President Moon and the Democratic Party has declined simultaneously. Support rates dropped among those sensitive to fairness, such as people in their 20s and parents with children in the same age group as Minister Choo's son.

According to a survey conducted by Realmeter, a public opinion research firm, commissioned by YTN from the 7th to the 11th, polling 2,521 voters nationwide, negative evaluations of President Moon Jae-in's administration rose by 1.9 percentage points to 50.0%. Positive evaluations stood at 45.6%, with the gap between positive and negative ratings widening beyond the margin of error.

By age group, the lowest positive evaluation rate was among those in their 20s (36.6%), and by occupation, it was low among housewives (39.5%) and students (34.0%). Realmeter analyzed that the controversy over Minister Choo's son significantly affected the support of groups sensitive to military service issues.

Meanwhile, experts pointed out that ongoing fairness controversies could negatively impact support for President Moon and his party.

Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "(If the controversy surrounding Minister Choo continues) support rates will inevitably continue to fall," adding, "If the party or the Blue House reaches an unbearable point, they might take extreme measures, which also carries burdens. They have entered a dilemma."

Lee further commented, "I think Minister Choo finds it difficult to step down because she believes that if she resigns in disgrace, it will be hard to continue political activities, so she is enduring. Because of this, the Blue House and the ruling party are protecting her, but they seem to have almost reached their limit. It is necessary for Minister Choo to make a decision."

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