Autumn's Son Compared to 'An Jung-geun' by Democratic Party... Opposition Criticizes "Losing Reason"

Park Sung-jun "Choo's son practices the words of An Jung-geun, who sacrificed his life for the country"
"A matter that would sadden the patriotic martyrs", "Why bring up An Jung-geun out of nowhere" criticism

Democratic Party lawmaker Park Seong-jun is questioning the government on politics, diplomacy, unification, and security at the National Assembly plenary session on July 22.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Park Seong-jun, the floor spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, sparked controversy by comparing Seo Mo (27), the son of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae who is under suspicion of receiving special treatment during military service, to the patriot Ahn Jung-geun. On the 16th, criticism poured in from both inside and outside the political circle, claiming that the ruling party’s defense of Minister Choo had gone too far.

In a statement on the same day, Spokesperson Park said, "The clear facts are that Minister Choo’s son took sick leave during his service to undergo knee surgery in order to fulfill his duties as a soldier," adding, "The Ministry of National Defense also stated that 'there was no special treatment in the extension of leave, and verbal approval is possible.' A colleague who served with Seo in the KATUSA unit also testified that 'Seo received no special treatment and rather led an exemplary military life.'"

He continued, "Ultimately, Minister Choo’s son personally embodied the words of Ahn Jung-geun, who said that 'It is the duty of a soldier to dedicate his body for the country (Wiguk Heonsin Gunin Bonbun, 爲國獻身軍人本分).'" 'Wiguk Heonsin Gunin Bonbun' is a calligraphy written by Ahn Jung-geun shortly before his martyrdom in the Lushun Prison in China after assassinating Ito Hirobumi and receiving a death sentence. President Moon Jae-in also quoted this phrase during the Memorial Day ceremony in June.

Spokesperson Park also said, "The opposition party has seriously damaged the honor of soldiers who fulfilled their national defense duties with fake news," emphasizing, "People Power Party, do not use our military as a tool for political strife. Instead of fervently raising unfounded suspicions, focus on verifying national security policies."

Political circles have been flooded with criticism over Spokesperson Park’s remarks. There are pointed criticisms that the ruling party lawmakers’ continuous 'shielding of Choo Mi-ae' has gone too far.

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the People Power Party, criticized in a verbal statement on the same day, "Why bring in the unrelated patriot Ahn Jung-geun to justify cheating and privilege?" and said, "The Democratic Party should not tarnish the history of Korea’s independence."

She added, "They barely managed with kimchi stew and community centers, and now with a 'coup' and even Ahn Jung-geun, the ruling party has lost its reason trying to save just one minister’s son," and continued, "They should apologize to the public, but instead, they sing praises. I advise them to take a deep breath especially in urgent times."

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, also criticized Spokesperson Park’s remarks and demanded an official apology. On his Facebook page that day, Ahn said, "This is something that the patriotic martyrs in the underground would lament. Isn’t this going too far?" He added, "As a citizen and as a member of the Sunheung Ahn clan, I clearly say: retract the outrageous remarks immediately and apologize for disgracing Ahn Jung-geun."

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Outside the political sphere, there are also criticisms that Spokesperson Park’s remarks were inappropriate. Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon wrote on his Facebook, "Let’s promote (Minister Choo’s son) for a national award," sarcastically adding, "'Since he dedicated himself to the country,' he should be honored with the Order of Merit for National Foundation like Ahn Jung-geun. Or at least, since he fulfilled the 'duty of a soldier,' he should be awarded the Hwarang Military Merit Medal."

He mocked, "Didn’t he return after removing stitches with superhuman patience and effort, overcoming the hail of enemy fire and painful knees, something unimaginable for a criminal?"

Finally, he added, "Ah, since he also made great contributions to improving soldiers’ human rights, he should receive a human rights award. In the past, desertion meant military prison, but now it means going to the Veterans Affairs."

Meanwhile, as the controversy spread, Spokesperson Park expressed deep regret, saying, "I deeply regret causing controversy due to an inappropriate citation in today’s spokesperson statement," and promised, "I will be more cautious in future statements."

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