The Democratic Party defends allegations against Chu Mi-ae's son... says comment on 'An Jung-geun spirit' was "excessive"

Hong Ik-pyo "Should have apologized and corrected... Must exercise restraint"
Minister Chu "Do not exaggerate or belittle my son"

Park Sung-jun, Floor Spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Democratic Party lawmakers came to the defense on the 17th regarding allegations of preferential treatment during the military service of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's son, Seo Mo. However, concerns were raised about the ruling party's comparison of Seo to independence activist Ahn Jung-geun the previous day, with calls for restraint.

Kim Jong-min, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, stated on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" that "Records from the Ministry of National Defense's integrated administrative network prove that Minister Choo's son did not violate any regulations," adding, "There is no need for debate given the phone leave extension records and many personal accounts."

Woo Sang-ho, a lawmaker from the same party, emphasized on TBS Radio's "Kim Eo-jun's News Factory," "The core issue is whether he falsely took sick leave and used privileged leave despite not being ill," and added, "Minister Choo's son was indeed ill, and it has been confirmed that his leave was extended due to surgery and treatment."

Hong Ik-pyo appeared on KBS Radio's "Kim Kyung-rae's Strong Current Affairs" and said, "If Minister Choo has legal responsibilities, she should take them. If there are no legal issues but the public finds it inappropriate, then political responsibility lies with Minister Choo and the ruling party," adding, "We just need to observe."

Hong also criticized Shin Won-sik of the People Power Party, who led the allegations of preferential leave for Seo, saying, "Before becoming a lawmaker, he openly spoke about overthrowing the state at rallies," and claimed, "Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, should expel (Shin) to cut ties with far-right forces like Jeon Kwang-hoon."

However, concerns arose within and outside the party regarding the ruling party's comparison of Minister Choo's son's military service to the so-called "Ahn Jung-geun spirit" made by Park Sung-joon, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, in a statement on the 16th.

Hong said, "(The Ahn Jung-geun remark) was not appropriate and should have been apologized for and corrected," but added, "If we do it that way, Chairman Kim Jong-in also compared the October 3rd rally to the March 1st Movement. Excessive comparisons should be mutually restrained."

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Chang-il criticized on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show," saying, "Are all those who served in the South Korean military Ahn Jung-geun?" and called it "not a misunderstanding but an overreaction, that is, excessive."

Choo Mi-ae, Minister of Justice / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, on the afternoon of the 16th, spokesperson Park said in a briefing, "The clear fact is that Minister Choo's son took sick leave during his service as a soldier and underwent knee surgery," and added, "Minister Choo's son personally embodied Ahn Jung-geun's words that 'It is a soldier's duty to dedicate their body for the country (위국헌신군인본분·爲國獻身軍人本分)."

He continued, "The Ministry of National Defense also stated that 'there was no preferential treatment in the leave extension and verbal approval is possible,' and a colleague who served with Minister Choo's son in KATUSA testified that 'Seo received no special favors and rather led an exemplary military life.'"

However, the opposition immediately criticized this statement. Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said, "From kimchi stew to community service centers, and now even Ahn Jung-geun, the ruling party is losing its reason," and strongly criticized, "The Democratic Party should not tarnish the history of Korea's independence."

Choi Hyung-doo, the same party's floor spokesperson, also called it "a serious insult" and said, "Ahn Jung-geun, who is resting underground, would be shocked to hear this."

As the controversy grew, the Democratic Party deleted the related parts and issued a revised statement. Spokesperson Park also sent a text message to the media apologizing, saying, "I will be more cautious in future statements."

Meanwhile, Minister Choo on the 17th requested, "Please do not exaggerate or defame my child with excessive terms."

During a government question session on education, society, and culture held at the National Assembly that day, Minister Choo responded to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Kim Sang-hoon about spokesperson Park's statement, saying, "I learned about it through the reports."

She added, "I think the intention was to emphasize that my son was faithful to his duty despite being ill, embodying Ahn Jung-geun's words that dedication to the country is a soldier's duty, not to say my son is Ahn Jung-geun," and concluded, "I hope people see him as he is without exaggeration or disparagement."

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