Hwang Hee Reveals Duty Soldier's Real Name... Starts Vivid Criticism Including 'Munppa' Parents' Insults
"Seems Like He Knows He's a Gaexxx" Fierce Condemnation
Apology After Public Criticism of Public Interest Whistleblower... Allegations of Whistleblower's Backing Continue
Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Hee stated at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 10th that the leave during military service of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's son, Seo Mo, followed proper procedures. [Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Hwang Hee, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, revealed the face and real name of Hyun, the person who first raised the 'military leave privilege suspicion' regarding the son of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, Mr. Seo. This has led to harsh criticism of Hyun from so-called 'Moonppa' (a derogatory term for people who blindly support President Moon Jae-in).
As a result, there are criticisms that Hwang is effectively 'targeting' Hyun, creating a basis for criticism and provoking fierce attacks from 'Moonppa.' In political circles, there are concerns that this constitutes violence by a member of the National Assembly against an individual.
On the 12th, Hwang revealed Hyun's real name in a post on his Facebook page. When criticism arose that this was effectively intimidation by disclosing the informant's identity, Hwang edited the post about two hours and 30 minutes later to refer to him as 'Sergeant Hyun.'
However, on the 13th, he again posted a screenshot of a broadcast showing Hyun's face and name in a comment on Facebook. This was interpreted as Hwang's claim that since Hyun's real name had already been disclosed on the broadcast, he was not the first to reveal it. Nevertheless, critics argue that a lawmaker publicly mentioning this again is a separate issue.
After Hyun's real name was revealed, pro-Moon forces criticized, saying, "Everything Hyun OO said was false. He exposed everything as a fabricated and manipulated drama," and added, "It is unlikely that a young person would absurdly do such a thing alone; there must be a mastermind behind it, and if an investigation reveals this, punishment is inevitable." They argue that Hyun's report itself cannot be trusted and is a kind of political conspiracy.
Other Democratic Party supporters also criticized, sharing a media interview where Hyun's face was revealed, saying, "These people confuse the nation and the public and divide public opinion, so they must be held accountable," and "This guy is an administrative soldier who slandered Minister Choo's son." They mocked him, saying, "He changed his Facebook profile picture to a dog, apparently thinking he is a dog bastard. The way to be forgiven is to confess how the People Power Party tempted him,"
Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is arriving at the Ministry of Justice in the Government Complex Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of the 11th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Meanwhile, there were also abusive remarks criticizing Hyun's parents. One supporter said, "The father is a defective product. I wonder what the mother’s womb of that bastard looks like," spewing vulgar insults.
Hwang also claimed there was political manipulation related to Hyun's report. In a Facebook post, Hwang labeled Hyun as a 'criminal' and asserted there was a political conspiracy.
Hwang said, "Judging from Hyun ○○'s words and actions, it is impossible to see him as a lone offender. The accomplice forces must be thoroughly identified," and added, "We need to reveal what the purpose and intent of those forces are."
When criticized for labeling a whistleblower as a criminal, Hwang changed the term 'criminal' to 'simple informant' and 'accomplice' to 'political conspiracy forces.' Although he revised some parts of the post, he did not retract his claim that Hyun's report was initiated with a political motive.
Even within the ruling party, there was criticism of Hwang's claims. Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop wrote on his Facebook, "Is he sane to call a 20-something-year-old citizen a 'lone offender' just because he claims something unfavorable to the Minister of Justice?"
Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon said, "(Hwang) basically gave coordinates to the 'Moonppa,' adding, "It is violence by a lawmaker against a powerless individual. He has completely lost his mind."
Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong said on Facebook on the 13th, "Why is a huge power intimidating a brave retired sergeant?" and added, "As a member of the older generation, specifically the so-called 86 generation, I am deeply ashamed."
He continued, "The ruling party's National Defense Committee whip (Hwang Hee) demanded an investigation into the whistleblower," and criticized, "'They are forces trying to overthrow the state,' 'There is a mastermind,' 'We must root them out thoroughly'?these are stories we heard many times over thirty years ago."
He then questioned, "To protect Minister Choo alone, the prosecution was destroyed. The Ministry of National Defense was also ruined; is the next target the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?" and said, "(The suspicion regarding Minister Choo Mi-ae's son Seo) has now gone beyond a personal scandal of Minister Choo."
Governor Won emphasized, "Powerful institutions can be temporarily restrained, but attempts to muzzle the people will never succeed."
Meanwhile, Hwang apologized after criticism over revealing the whistleblower's real name. Through Facebook, Hwang said, "I apologize for causing unintended discomfort with my Facebook post about Sergeant Hyun. The most mentioned parts were the 'real name disclosure' and the 'lone offender' expression. Regarding these two parts, I posted on Facebook that I accepted your criticisms and promptly changed the expressions to 'Sergeant Hyun' and 'responsibility,' respectively."
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