"Then You Give Money Without an Envelope?" In Autumn... Kim Geun-sik Calls It "A Masterful Sophistry"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is attending the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 16th, responding to questions from lawmakers. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Professor Kim Geunsik of Gyeongnam National University, chairman of the People Power Party's Songpa-byeong district committee, criticized Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae on the 17th, calling her "truly a master of sophistry."

In a post on his Facebook that day, Professor Kim said, "When sophistry surpasses mastery, it becomes a hilarious joke. Amazing. Now it even brings laughter to the public."

Earlier, during the full meeting of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee the previous day, when People Power Party lawmaker Jo Sujin asked about the execution of special activity expenses (teukhwalbi) money envelopes, Minister Choo responded, "Do you just give cash? You put it in an envelope. Special activity expenses allow cash payments," sparking controversy.

In response, Rep. Jo said, "Because (four days ago) at the Budget and Accounts Special Committee, you said 'I did not hand out money envelopes,' so I asked about the envelopes."

Professor Kim mocked Minister Choo's remarks, saying, "At this level, it's comedy."

He pointed out, "Minister Choo, who mainly went to her daughter's restaurant on holidays, even several times on the same day, and made donations by card payment under the pretext of press conferences. At that time, when opposition lawmakers asked, 'Why did you go to your daughter's restaurant and have a meal with donation money?' she used an ultra-sophistry reply, 'Then do you eat without paying?'"

He continued, "Again this time, when opposition lawmakers asked, 'Didn't you hand out money envelopes from the prosecution bureau's special activity expenses?' she showcased the ultimate sophistry by replying, 'Then do you give the money without putting it in an envelope?'"

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