Ha Tae-kyung: "Public Anger Over Choo's Son's Favoritism"... Proposes Military Bribery Prevention Act for Public Officials

Strengthening Punishments for Military Service Fraud and Solicitation Acts, Including Up to 3 Years Imprisonment

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 21st, Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, announced that he will propose the "Public Officials Military Request Prevention Act" in relation to the allegations of preferential treatment in military service for the son of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae. The core of this bill is to strengthen the punishment level for public officials' military service-related fraudulent requests from the current fine of up to 30 million won to imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine of up to 30 million won.

In a press release on the same day, Representative Ha stated, "The controversy over the preferential leave granted to Minister Choo's son has sparked public anger over unfair military service," and pointed out, "Under the current law, only the person who made the request pays a fine, while only the person who accepted the request is criminally punished, making it difficult to eradicate fraudulent military service requests."

According to the current Anti-Graft Act, if a high-ranking public official makes an improper request related to military service to a military officer, the high-ranking official is only fined up to 30 million won, whereas the officer faces imprisonment of up to 2 years or a fine of up to 20 million won.

Representative Ha emphasized, "How many military officers can ignore the hierarchical order or influence in the public service and disregard requests from high-ranking public officials?" and added, "To completely block external pressure, punishment for the requester must be strengthened first."

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