Kim Nam-guk "Allegations Against Choo's Son Must Be Accepted Based on Investigation Results" vs Park Soo-young "KakaoTalk Vacation Does Not Align with Common Sense"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae appeared at the National Assembly Judiciary Committee's audit of the Ministry of Justice and others on the 12th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] On the 12th, during the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s audit, a dispute over allegations of military favoritism involving Minister Choo Mi-ae’s son, Seo Mo, continued, with opposing views between the ruling and opposition parties.

Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said in an interview with YTN Radio’s "Hwang Bo-seon’s Start of a New Morning" on the same day, "It is right to judge this issue from the perspective of the public’s common sense. If there had been external pressure or favoritism in the process of extending sick leave or vacation, there would be no reason to call the civil affairs office," adding, "The phone call was clearly stated to be merely an inquiry about how sick leave is extended in relation to the extension of vacation."

Kim said, "Also, the person authorized to approve the leave clearly testified that there was no external pressure in the process of approving the vacation or sick leave related to this matter," and explained, "Those who testified on this matter are all civilians aged thirty-one, thirty-two, and those who have already been discharged."

He continued, "They are not people who could have been pressured during the Moon Jae-in administration, but those who served since the Park Geun-hye administration, so their testimonies are highly credible," and said, "Since they were allowed to use their personal leave, it seems clear that there was no external pressure or favoritism in this matter."

On the other hand, Park Soo-young, a member of the People Power Party who appeared together, said, "The reason this issue took so long is because the prosecution did not investigate for eight months and just stalled. Digital forensics were conducted, but (Minister Choo) said she did not remember because it was three years ago," criticizing the minister’s remarks during the audit by saying, "Saying you don’t remember is often used because denying it could be perjury."

Park said, "If a proper investigation were conducted, it should be fact-based, but when the prosecution announced the dismissal, they released the KakaoTalk messages," and argued, "I think that is very meaningful. Although the responsible prosecutor or someone in the prosecution had no choice but to dismiss the case, they released the KakaoTalk messages fearing that these facts might be buried if the investigation proceeds again."

He added, "In other words, the prosecution revealed that the phone number of the support officer was given via KakaoTalk to Minister Choo’s aide," and emphasized, "But there was no instruction given. And she says she doesn’t remember. The fact is that the instruction was given. The investigation should proceed based on the facts."

Park further argued, "You just said (Kim Nam-guk) to look at it from the public’s perspective, but in my common sense, it is not reasonable to extend leave by phone or KakaoTalk," and rebutted, "I have never heard of applying for leave via KakaoTalk before; this is the first time I have heard of it in this case."

He continued, "Therefore, it does not align with public common sense. It is not a fact that all soldiers testified that there was no external pressure, as Kim Nam-guk said," and claimed, "There are also people who testified that there was external pressure."

In response, Kim said, "It is not that leave is always approved by phone or KakaoTalk, but in exceptional cases, leave is granted by phone or KakaoTalk," rebutting the claim.

Kim added, "In fact, in this case, the People Power Party initially raised the issue that sick leave was taken without a medical certificate, but the certificate was also disclosed," and said, "If it is evaluated that all sick leave and vacation extensions were based on grounds and approved by the authorized approver, then at least the People Power Party should accept the prosecution’s investigation results."

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