Parents of Soldiers' Children Criticize on Online Communities and SNS
'Sorry Mom Is Not Choo Mi-ae' T-Shirt Also Gains Attention
Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae attended the plenary session held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 7th and sat in the cabinet member seat. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] "Son, I'm sorry.", "It was possible with just one phone call."
Amid allegations that Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's son received special treatment during his military leave, parents of soldiers have been voicing their outrage on online communities and social networking services (SNS).
On the 6th, a post titled "My son who went to heaven! Mom is sorry for not being Choo Mi-ae" was uploaded on the online community 'Nate Pann.' The author wrote, "I lost my son in November 2018 and couldn't come to my senses for a while. I recalled the words and phone calls my son made during his leave," adding, "My son sent countless signals to me, his mother, saying it was hard."
They continued, "I cannot forgive myself for telling him to endure and believe that the military has improved these days," and confessed, "I am living barely, taking psychiatric medication."
On the 8th, posts expressing anger over the special treatment allegations against Minister Choo's son continued on Facebook and other SNS platforms. One netizen exclaimed, "Do they embrace their own sons with love but govern others' sons by military law?"
Another netizen recalled, "I remember when my son was disappointed after failing to join KATUSA and asked, 'Don't parents have any connections?'" They added, "(My son) suffered from a herniated disc, received oriental medicine treatment, and had leg pain, but if it was possible to easily postpone leave with just one phone call, we would have wanted to do the same."
On the 8th, a photo of a T-shirt with the phrase "Sorry that my mom is not Choo Mi-ae" was shared on some online communities, drawing attention. / Photo by Online Community Capture
Meanwhile, a photo of a T-shirt with the phrase "Mom, I'm sorry for not being Choo Mi-ae" was shared on online communities, drawing attention.
Civilians who have children in the military or have completed their military service also expressed resentment toward the military leave special treatment allegations.
Mrs. A (58), whose son is currently serving as a cook in the military, said, "In my son's case, there were many days when his leave was canceled or postponed due to unavoidable circumstances. The voices of disappointment are still vivid," adding, "If the special treatment allegations are true, it is indeed very unfair from the perspective of ordinary people."
Mr. B (29), an office worker who has completed military service and transitioned to the reserves, said, "Since the allegations have not yet been proven true, I want to withhold judgment," but added, "Leave is the most sensitive issue for soldiers, and if powerful parents could extend it through irregular means, I would be angry."
However, some have urged caution until the prosecution's investigation results are released. Mr. C (31), an office worker, said, "Maybe the phone call was just a simple inquiry out of concern for a sick son, not an attempt to pressure the unit," adding, "Honestly, any parent would worry about their son. I think it's not too late to make a judgment after the investigation results come out."
Meanwhile, opposition parties have called for a special prosecutor investigation into the related allegations.
On the 8th, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said in a parliamentary negotiation group representative speech, "Minister Choo's son's case is a simple matter as she said, so why has the prosecution failed to reach a conclusion for eight months?" He added, "Minister Choo should volunteer for a special prosecutor investigation to prove her statement that 'it's a novel.' If she cannot, wouldn't it be appropriate to resign?"
On the other hand, Minister Choo's side strongly denied the allegations, saying they are not true. Choo's lawyer, Hyun Geun-taek, explained in a statement released that day that Minister Choo's son took leave without any issues according to KATUSA regulations.
Lawyer Hyun said, "Some media outlets are questioning the Army regulations, but KATUSA is primarily governed by U.S. Army Regulation 600-2 in Korea," adding, "This regulation requires leave documents to be kept for one year and stipulates that convalescent leave can be taken for 30 days (with an additional 10 days possible) if there is an illness."
He continued, "(Minister Choo's son) received verbal approval before the first medical leave ended and submitted the documents later as allowed," and refuted, "There is a claim based on Army regulations that after the first medical leave ends, one must return to the unit and get approval again, but the primarily applicable (U.S. Army in Korea) regulation does not include such a provision."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
