Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Justice minister apologizes over graft allegations surrounding her son
Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae arrives at the ministry building in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. She apologized over graft allegations surrounding her son on Facebook, Sunday. Yonhap
By Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae apologized, Sunday, over snowballing allegations that she abused her power to seek special favors for her son during his mandatory military service.
However, Choo denied the allegations in a Facebook post. She said the prosecution, which has been looking into the case, should fear nothing but the people and “be faithful” in uncovering the truth.
“I am deeply sorry for causing troubles to the people over my son's military duty at a time when COVID-19 is afflicting every part of society,” she wrote.
Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae posted an apology on Facebook, Sunday, over allegations that she abused her power to seek special favors for her son during his military service with the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA).
Choo said she had kept mum over the case because, as justice minister, she oversees the prosecution and she “did not want to have any influence over the ongoing investigation.”
“But now I must say every piece of truth should be uncovered through the probe,” she added.
Her comment came as the main opposition People's Power Party (PPP) has ratcheted up its criticisms against her.
She allegedly abused her power for the benefit of her son, surnamed Seo, to go on extended leave in August 2017 when he was serving in the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA) for the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) of the 8th U.S. Army. Choo was chairwoman of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) at that time.
Choo and her family also face allegations that they tried to intervene in Seo's posting before he was assigned to a 2ID base in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, and also attempted to have him selected as a military interpreter during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
Regarding the extended leave, Choo said this was because her son was undergoing knee surgery and needed more time to recover.
“No one wants health problems to worsen while serving in the military and my son never intended to go against military leave regulations,” Choo said.
She added she “never called a goose a swan” and that she will “only remain silent from now on” until the prosecution presents its findings.
Despite her denial and the DPK defending her, the case, according to analysts, put her in a tough position because the public has greater expectations for President Moon Jae-in's administration to live up to standards of fairness and justice.
Moon was elected in 2017 as voters were fed up with a string of corruption scandals that erupted under ousted President Park Geun-hye and wanted Moon to carry out political overhaul.
The public is now largely focused on recent scandals around special favors received by the children of politicians and top-ranked bureaucrats in the highly competitive society.
“Cheong Wa Dae wants to keep her but the allegation, whether it is true or not, is more than enough to hurt the Moon administration” said Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University.