Park Yong-jin "Military service is a national red line, sorry as a member of the National Assembly"

"The opposition must also present clear evidence... Institutional improvements are not being made"

On the 15th, Park Yong-jin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at the National Assembly Communication Office, "Samsung Securities was extensively involved in the merger process between Samsung C&T Corporation and Cheil Industries, and financial authorities should launch an investigation."/Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Park Yong-jin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized regarding the allegations of "special leave" during the military service of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's son, Seo Mo (27), that "education and military service are matters of concern for all citizens, so they should be handled sensitively as they are a national nerve and dealt with humbly."

On the 16th, on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Rep. Park said, "I also feel sorry for the frustration that ordinary young people feel."

Rep. Park apologized, saying, "I feel sorry to the public for just looking at this issue as 'illegal or not' as a fellow lawmaker and someone who has served in the military and was very interested in leave."

However, he pointed out, "Since the issue keeps being discussed as an illegal controversy, the opposition party should provide clear evidence and circumstances regarding this matter," adding, "It is frustrating to watch the government questioning session focusing on Minister Choo throughout. It only brings political strife and does not lead to institutional improvement or problem-solving at all."

He continued, "I hope you do not think 'to gain political advantage from this strife,' but rather see it as an 'unfair case that is open' and urge institutional improvement and seek answers from the Ministry of National Defense."

Meanwhile, the ruling and opposition parties continue to clash over the allegations of special leave for Seo.

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min claimed on the 15th during the National Assembly's government questioning, "The People Power Party is obstructing prosecution reform. They try to find even the smallest fault to attack those trying to reform the prosecution, and if there is none, they politically damage them by force. I don't know how the People Power Party's political offensive is different from Japan's past denial."

People Power Party lawmaker Shin Won-sik, who raised suspicions related to Seo, strongly criticized, saying, "Last year's 'Jo-ro-nam-bul' has evolved into this year's 'Chu-ro-nam-bul,' deepening the public's despair," and "The public is angry about the emperor-like military service manipulation."

People Power Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung also pointed out, "The Ministry of National Defense sided with Goliath to protect Minister Choo's son and even butchered the strict military regulations," adding, "The Democratic Party revealed the real name of the whistleblower, the duty soldier, and marked coordinates to incite terrorism by pro-Moon Jae-in supporters."

He raised his voice toward Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo, saying, "He is shifting responsibility to frontline commanders," and "He is responding like a 'Sa-o-jeong' (a term implying evasive or nonsensical answers)."

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