Jin Joong-kwon on Choo's Brother-in-law Parachute Appointment Allegation: "Even Sister-in-law Chance... This Is Why I Do Politics"

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon giving a lecture at the Korea Economic and Social Research Institute seminar held at Choi In-ah Bookstore in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of July 2. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized on the 15th the appointment of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's brother-in-law as the chairman of the Bus Mutual Aid Association, calling it a "parachute appointment" and saying, "Now they are even using the 'brother-in-law chance'."

On the same day, Jin posted on his Facebook, "They are managing it frugally. This is the taste of politics," sharing an SBS report stating that "most of the chairmen of private mutual aid associations, including Minister Choo's brother-in-law, are parachute appointments."

According to the SBS report, Minister Choo's brother-in-law, Mr. Jung, was solely recommended to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in 2018 and appointed as the chairman of the Bus Mutual Aid Association. The Bus Mutual Aid Association was established to compensate for damages in case of bus accidents, and the chairman is appointed by the Bus Federation with the approval of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

At the time of Mr. Jung's appointment, Minister Choo was the leader of the Democratic Party, and during Minister Choo's confirmation hearing in December last year, suspicions were raised that Mr. Jung was appointed due to the influence of the ruling party leader. Minister Choo responded, "This has nothing to do with me. Should my relatives be deprived of the freedom to engage in economic activities?"

SBS reported that Mr. Jung had worked as an employee at Konkuk University for over 30 years, and that most of the chairmen of the association, including Mr. Jung, were analyzed to have no experience related to mutual aid work.

Meanwhile, the Citizens' Committee for the Protection of the Working Class announced on the 21st of last month that they had filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, claiming that the appointment process was inappropriate.

At that time, the committee stated, "Mr. Jung applied despite having no relevant experience related to the Bus Mutual Aid Association chairman position, and was appointed after being solely recommended and approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport," adding, "This is a typical special favor and an act that obstructed the association's work."

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