[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Members of the Future United Party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee claimed that the 'draft statement' of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae was leaked to pro-government figures including Representative Choi Kang-wook of the Open Democratic Party, and demanded that Minister Choo order an inspection and investigation. They also called for an investigation into Minister Choo's son.
On the 12th, the United Party's Judiciary Committee members stated in a position paper, "Representative Choi Kang-wook, who received the 'draft statement,' is a suspect in the 'Channel A reporter' case, which is the starting point of the conflict between the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General, and is already a criminal defendant undergoing trial related to the Cho Kuk incident," adding, "The Minister of Justice collaborating with a criminal suspect and a subject of prosecution to carry out a 'Prosecutor General ousting' operation is a manipulation of state affairs and a betrayal of the people."
They continued, "Moreover, considering terms such as 'recipient' (受命者) used in the 'draft statement of the Minister of Justice,' there is reasonable suspicion that Representative Choi is the author, raising controversy over 'who the real Minister of Justice is.' Nevertheless, Minister Choo Mi-ae, Representative Choi Kang-wook, and other related parties show no shame and only offer inconsistent excuses."
They further argued, "The 'state manipulation' incident began and was essentially about government documents or drafts being leaked outside legal channels to specific individuals. Therefore, this 'state manipulation and people’s betrayal' case must undergo a thorough fact-finding investigation comparable to the 'state manipulation' incident." They added, "An internal inspection by the Ministry of Justice and a prosecution investigation are essential, and the option of a parliamentary audit should also be kept open."
The United Party's Judiciary Committee members also demanded, "The Minister of Justice should have her son appear before the prosecution regarding the 'emperor desertion' suspicion case." They said, "Minister Choo Mi-ae is disguising her attempt to strip the Prosecutor General of investigative authority as 'investigative command authority.' While 'investigative command authority' should not be exercised recklessly, if it must be exercised, it should apply to cases like the Minister of Justice’s son’s 'emperor desertion' suspicion."
They added, "If Minister Choo clearly intends to resolve the related suspicions, she should have her son appear before the prosecution this week to ensure the investigation proceeds swiftly and fairly."
They also demanded that the ruling party hold a full meeting of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee to summon the Prosecutor General, the Minister of Justice, and Representative Choi Kang-wook. The United Party's Judiciary Committee members said, "The root cause of the recent series of incidents caused by Minister Choo Mi-ae is all the 'Channel A reporter case.' Initially, Representative Choi claimed he obtained the problematic 'minister’s statement' from former Representative Choi Min-hee’s Facebook, but the Ministry of Justice offered a completely different explanation that the minister’s aide sent it to Representative Choi via SNS. Just this point alone warrants examining whose statement is correct in the same setting."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
