Prosecutors Launch Investigation into Choo Mi-ae's Alleged Cover-up of Son's Military Leave Absence

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The prosecution has launched an investigation into allegations that Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae attempted to cover up her son's absence from military leave through external pressure.

On the 30th, the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office announced that it had assigned the case, in which the Liberty Korea Party filed a complaint against Minister Choo regarding the 'alleged cover-up of her son's absence from military leave,' to the Criminal Division 1.

The Liberty Korea Party filed a complaint with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 3rd of this month, accusing Minister Choo of obstruction of official duties by deception and being a co-principal in the crime of deception for the purpose of avoiding duty.

Minister Choo's son, A (27), served as a KATUSA soldier in the 2nd Battalion Area of the U.S. 8th Army Korea Support Group in 2017. This was during the time when Minister Choo was serving as the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.

On the 30th of last month, Liberty Korea Party lawmaker Kim Do-eup raised suspicions at the National Assembly Judiciary Committee hearing for Minister Choo's nomination, stating that A did not return to his unit after going on leave as a private first class, and that Minister Choo exerted external pressure on the unit to cover up the incident.

Lawmaker Kim cited reports from military officials, saying, "A requested a two-day extension of his leave from the company support sergeant during his leave, but it was not accepted," and added, "Despite repeated orders from the duty soldier to return, he did not return to the unit. Minister Choo called the unit, and through a certain captain in the higher command, an order to extend the leave was issued."

In response, Minister Choo rebutted, saying, "My son was hospitalized due to knee pain and obtained personal leave again after consulting with the military unit," and stated, "There was no reason to exert external pressure, nor did I do so."