Disappearance of 'Minsaeng' in Government Questioning... 'Choo Mi-ae's Son' Dispute Until the Last Day (Comprehensive)

People Power Party Faces Allegations of Son's Military Service Privilege and Daughter's Restaurant Political Fund Misuse
Minister Choo Mi-ae Dismisses as "Absurd and Fallacious Logic"
Yong Hye-in Apologizes, Saying "Too Busy Finding Solutions to Obsess Over Minister's Son Issue..."

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is walking up to the podium to answer questions from lawmakers during the government-wide questioning session on education, society, and culture held at the National Assembly plenary session on the 17th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Wondara and Im Chunhan] Until the 17th, the last day of the first government questioning session of the 21st National Assembly, the controversy over the 'alleged military service privilege for Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's son' continued. The People Power Party raised an additional allegation on the last day regarding the 'misuse of political funds at the daughter's restaurant.' Minister Choo denied all allegations, stating, "I did not file any complaints."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆People Power Party raises 'son's military service allegations' plus 'daughter's restaurant political fund misuse allegations'... Choo Mi-ae calls it "illogical and sophistry"= The People Power Party focused their questions on Minister Choo during the education, social, and cultural sector government questioning held at the National Assembly that afternoon.

People Power Party lawmaker Kim Sang-hoon asked about the 'KATUSA support team leader's interview record stating that the parents filed a complaint,' to which Minister Choo emphasized, "I have never filed a complaint. I also confirmed that my husband never filed one." She added, "The informant, a friend named A, is now retreating, saying that she did not report directly but told others, who then leaked it to a weekly magazine reporter. The informant is now denying it, claiming she was connected by phone to People Power Party lawmaker Kim Do-eup and that it has come this far."

When People Power Party lawmaker Choi Hyung-doo asked, "Did your aide make a request?" and "If the aide actually made a request, will you take responsibility?" she responded, "I don't know what you are asking. You keep creating public opinion based on assumptions, but this has nothing to do with the government questioning."

When Choi asked, "Did you say that your son Seo needed about three months of recuperation due to a knee condition?" and "Did Seo receive any additional surgery or treatment after returning to duty?" she raised her voice, saying, "If you are curious, don't listen to me; you should call a doctor or expert directly."

The People Power Party also pointed out a media report that Minister Choo held several press meetings using political donations at a restaurant in Itaewon operated by her daughter.

Lawmaker Kim Byung-wook said, "There is criticism that the money given to lawmakers by the public to do politics well ended up in their children's pockets. Considering that many young people and self-employed individuals cannot even dream of starting a business in Itaewon, I think the minister should at least express regret regardless of legal issues."

Minister Choo explained, "The accounting was handled by an aide, so I don't remember well. I visited to encourage my child. Just because it's my daughter's restaurant doesn't mean I could eat for free. My daughter couldn't bear the soaring rent and eventually had to close the restaurant."

She added, "Fairness and justice do not just come out of thin air," and said, "I cannot readily agree with those who have not practiced fairness and justice and who bring up criticisms with illogical and sophistical arguments, but I will quietly wait for the prosecution's investigation results."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆Yong Hye-in: "Watching four days of government questioning was frustrating... I apologize to the public"= As questions focused on Minister Choo, inquiries about pressing issues such as COVID-19 and disaster relief funds were postponed.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun responded to Democratic Party lawmaker Song Ki-heon's question, "Has there been any report so far that the Minister of Justice made a request?" by saying, "I have not found any matter that should be severely criticized or that should waste several days of government questioning." He added, "This issue cannot be resolved by back-and-forth debates in the National Assembly. It is regrettable that important matters are being neglected, and as someone with long legislative experience, I hope things will change."

Basic Income Party lawmaker Yong Hye-in also criticized, "Watching four days of government questioning was truly frustrating. During an unprecedented crisis when we should be busy finding solutions, the main opposition party was obsessed only with the minister's son's issue, which was embarrassing to the public." She also criticized the Democratic Party, saying, "I don't think the government's approval rating is falling because of the allegations against Minister Choo's son, but because the government's measures are half-hearted and ineffective for the public."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chung emphasized that if conservative civic groups hold rallies on National Foundation Day and Hangul Day next month, "If they obstruct quarantine measures or cause the spread of COVID-19, they will be held accountable, and claims for damages will be pursued depending on the case." He added, "It has been confirmed that 300 to 400 rally notifications have been submitted. I am usually not an angry person, but thinking about the August 15 rally makes me angry. Hearing that they plan to do it again on National Foundation Day makes me even angrier," signaling a tough response.

Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo reaffirmed the position that flu vaccines covering 60% of the population nationwide are sufficient. Minister Park said, "Infectious disease experts also judge that a vaccine capable of preventing 60% of the population is sufficient. Since treatments are adequately stocked and distributed, it is appropriate to be cautious about the flu but not to worry excessively."

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