[2020 National Audit] Disclosure of Minister Choo's Complaints and Accusations... Prosecution "Concerns Over Defamation and Privacy Invasion"

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The prosecution has been criticized for excessively concealing the status of complaints and accusations against Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, citing concerns over privacy invasion.

According to a response submitted by the Ministry of Justice to Yoon Han-hong, a member of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the People Power Party, on the 12th, the prosecution replied that it was "difficult to submit" the data on complaints and accusations naming Minister Choo as the accused or complainant, due to concerns about infringing on the honor and privacy of those involved in the case.

Previously, Representative Yoon requested information on the complainants and accusers against Minister Choo, dates of complaints and accusations, applicable charges, the responsible prosecution office and department, and whether prosecution had been initiated. Although the request was for simple factual confirmation rather than investigation progress or details, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office reportedly refused to submit the data, citing protection of the minister's honor and privacy.

In response, Representative Yoon criticized the prosecution for going too far in protecting Minister Choo by claiming that disclosing the status of accusations would damage her honor and that being accused as a public figure is a personal privacy issue.

Minister Choo is currently facing more than 18 accusations, but the prosecution has concluded only one case with a decision of no charges related to allegations of preferential military leave for her son. The prosecution has yet to reach conclusions on allegations including abuse of power related to her son, violation of the Anti-Graft Act concerning her daughter's visa request, disclosure of investigation facts, defamation, and abuse of power related to the Channel A case, abuse of power related to former Minister Cho Kuk, and violation of the Political Funds Act regarding the use of a political funds card on the day her son enlisted in the military.

In particular, the case in which Minister Choo was accused of false accusation during her tenure as party leader has not been concluded even after 29 months. Representative Yoon stated, "The prosecution, which claims it cannot even disclose the status of accusations to protect Minister Choo's honor, has admitted to being her personal guard," and added, "It is the prosecution's duty and obligation to promptly investigate and prosecute to clarify the suspicions transparently for the people."

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