"Writing Novels" Choo, This Time "It Was a Full-Length Novel"... Opposition: "27 Lies, Shameless Face"

Heated Debate with Opposition Lawmakers at Ministry of Justice Audit on 12th
Regarding Aide's Text Messages, "I Don't Remember"
"I Told Him to Contact My Son, Didn't Give Any Orders"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is responding to questions during the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee's audit of the Ministry of Justice held on the 12th in Yeouido, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae engaged in a heated exchange with members of the People Power Party on the 12th over allegations of special treatment during her son's military service leave. The confrontation between both sides escalated into loud arguments among lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties.

During the Ministry of Justice's National Assembly inspection by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Minister Choo targeted opposition lawmakers who raised suspicions about her son, Seo (27), saying, "It's a simple matter, but the media and the opposition party have amplified it," adding, "Looking back over the past nine months, it's absurd. They must have been trying to write a long novel."

In particular, regarding Minister Choo's "long novel" remark, Park Beom-gye of the Democratic Party of Korea laughed and said, "Another novel."

Earlier, in July during a full meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Minister Choo had a confrontation with opposition lawmakers and responded with "You're writing a novel," which sparked controversy over her attitude and led to an apology. However, when allegations about her son resurfaced on the 12th, she once again mentioned "novel," expressing strong displeasure.

Meanwhile, Yoon Han-hong of the People Power Party criticized, "Whether guilty or not is for the prosecutor to interpret, but the lies the minister told in the National Assembly cannot be turned into truth by the prosecutor," adding, "How brazen and shameless can one be? There were 27 lies in September alone." Minister Choo retorted, "I scolded 27 times."

When Yoon pointed out again, "Just because you have power and influence to cover it up doesn't make lies into facts," Minister Choo responded, "I never asked to cover anything up," and said, "Please provide evidence of what was fabricated or covered up."

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae (right) is discussing with Vice Minister Ko Ki-young during the Ministry of Justice's audit at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 12th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, Minister Choo also had a verbal clash with Kim Do-eup of the People Power Party. During Kim's questioning, Minister Choo replied, "What did you say? I didn't hear," and when Kim criticized this attitude, she averted her gaze and shuffled through documents.

She also challenged Kim, saying, "The duty soldier also bears responsibility for raising unverified allegations," and asked, "Don't you know the meaning of apology, committee member?"

On the same day, regarding text messages exchanged with her aide during Seo's military leave, Minister Choo dismissed them, saying, "The existence of such messages was only known through digital forensic analysis of the phone," and added, "I don't remember."

As opposition lawmakers continued their offensive, Minister Choo reiterated that she never instructed her aide to extend her son's leave.

She explained, "In context, I told the aide to contact my son, not to give instructions," and added, "The aide voluntarily requested an extension once more."

Ruling party lawmakers also voiced complaints against the opposition. Kim Nam-guk of the Democratic Party of Korea pointed out, "The opposition does not ask about people's livelihoods but only brings up political disputes related to Minister Choo." Fellow party member So Byung-chul also criticized, "We prepared a lot, but the inspection is not progressing at all."

As the heated exchange escalated into loud voices between ruling and opposition lawmakers, Yoon Ho-jung, chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, eventually declared a suspension of the morning inspection session.

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