"Resigned at Moon's Request" Reveals Chu Mi-ae... Debates Over Truth Ensue

Choi Jae-sung "Not the type to say such things"
Gom Min-jung "High political interest in Gwangjin... Confident whoever comes"

Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae revealed that she stepped down from her ministerial position at the request of former President Moon Jae-in, sparking a controversy over the authenticity of her statement. There are also reports that Choo referred to former President Moon as an "opportunist." Choo's revelation, which can be interpreted as an attack on the pro-Moon faction, is being taken seriously at a time when less than a year remains until the general election. In particular, the ruling party is analyzing whether this is "with the general election candidacy in mind."

On the 3rd, former Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Choi Jae-sung strongly refuted Choo’s revelation on KBS's "Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs," saying, "Former President Moon is not the type to bluntly tell someone to quit. The circumstances or environment at the time may have made her feel that way as Minister of Justice. However, he neither explicitly told her to quit nor is he the type to do so."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, former Minister Choo claimed on the YouTube channel "OhmyTV" that former President Moon pressured her to resign. She said she initially heard this through the Presidential Chief of Staff but confirmed the same conclusion in a direct meeting. Lawyer Jung Cheol-seung also relayed on his social media that "Choo Mi-ae said 'former President Moon is an opportunist.'"

Choo also emphasized her statement again through social media on the same day, saying, "Many people feel disappointed and uncomfortable after the OhmyNews interview. However, the truth does not belong to anyone nor to any faction."

However, former Senior Secretary Choi said, "I am well aware of the process and content, but she said she resigned as Minister of Justice on her own will at the time, so saying now that former President Moon told her to quit is inconsistent. Although she served as Minister of Justice during the Moon Jae-in administration and faced various difficulties, I know well that the President did not tell her to quit after that," dismissing Choo’s claim.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Choo’s sudden revealing remarks are interpreted as targeting the hardline supporters of the Democratic Party who believe in the need for prosecutorial and media reforms. On social media that day, she also said, "(The current situation) is our responsibility for fearing prosecutorial and media reforms," adding, "In September 2020, during Representative Lee Nak-yeon's tenure, I proposed a revision to the Commercial Act to impose fivefold damages for intentional or grossly negligent dissemination of fake news causing harm, but for reasons unknown to me, the bill did not pass," blaming the pro-Moon faction for obstructing media reform at the time.

The ruling party raised suspicions that this might be with the general election in mind. Kang Sa-bin, deputy spokesperson for the People Power Party, commented, "It seems like a grand confession, misleading public opinion by mentioning 'dismissal' and artificially creating controversy, which even raises suspicion that former Minister Choo is considering running in the general election."

If former Minister Choo runs in the general election, Gwangjin-eul is considered the most likely district for her return. She set a historic record as the first in constitutional history to be elected five times in the same district, all in Gwangjin-eul. Currently, Go Min-jung, a Democratic Party lawmaker representing Gwangjin-eul, said on CBS's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show," "Whoever comes, I am confident," adding, "Our district has long produced ministers and party leaders, and since I am new here, the interest and pride in politics are very high."

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