Ruling Party "Will Hold Fake News Accountable" VS Opposition "Minister Must Resign" Clash in Government Questioning Session

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering opening remarks at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Wondara and Lim Chunhan] The ruling and opposition parties are expected to clash over the 'allegations of preferential military service for Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's son' during the government questioning session held at the National Assembly starting the afternoon of the 14th. The Democratic Party of Korea plans to respond strongly against 'fake news,' while the People Power Party is expected to continue its offensive calling for Minister Choo's resignation.

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, emphasized at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "I believe it is right for the political circles to refrain from political strife, assist the prosecution's investigation, and wait for the results. However, if the opposition continues political attacks, we will respond with facts and block them." He added, "I hope the government questioning focuses on overcoming the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and supporting people's livelihoods," warning, "We will firmly block the opposition's political offensives."

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party, also stressed, "This government questioning is being held during an emergency situation where people's livelihoods and the economy are very difficult due to the resurgence of COVID-19," and added, "The Democratic Party will firmly respond to baseless allegations and the spread of false information and hold political responsibility."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The opposition parties, including the People Power Party and the People Party, plan to launch a large-scale offensive against Minister Choo during this government questioning. They will focus on highlighting the deployment of Minister Choo's son to his unit and the request for an interpreter position supporting the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, while urging her to resign from her ministerial post.

The People Power Party Emergency Committee condemned the allegations of preferential leave for Minister Choo's son in unison on this day. Kim Jong-in, chairman of the People Power Party Emergency Committee, said at the committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th, "We are fighting two viruses: COVID-19 (novel coronavirus disease) and the virus of unfairness."

He criticized, "Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk touched a nerve of public sentiment with unfairness in education, and the current Minister of Justice is doing so with unfair preferential treatment in military service. However, the ruling party is revealing the real name of the young man who reported the 'mommy-chance' emperor-style military leave, calling him a sole perpetrator or accomplice. Instead of resolving the situation, they have poured fuel on the angry public sentiment." Kim pressured, "The president must not worsen the situation by continuing intentional silence. The president should clearly state his position on this matter and take action regarding the Minister of Justice."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, pointed out, "Minister Choo, ahead of the government questioning, apologized for her son's military service issue but insisted there was 'no particular reason to break procedures.' If the Minister of Justice says there was 'no particular reason to break procedures,' the prosecution conducting the investigation will take that as a guideline." He added, "Moreover, Kim Kwan-jung, head of the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, who effectively led this case as chief of the Criminal Affairs Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, tried to exclude the testimony of the discharged sergeant after conducting the investigation for eight months. Who would believe the investigation results conducted by obedient subordinate prosecutors under Minister Choo's influence?"

Additionally, the Democratic Party member Hwang Hee, who revealed the real name of the sergeant who reported the leave allegations of Minister Choo's son, will be reported to the National Assembly Ethics Committee, and measures to protect the reporting sergeant as a whistleblower are being considered.

Kim Jae-seop, an emergency committee member, said, "I spoke with the current sergeant yesterday. The ruling party claimed the sergeant had fled or gone into hiding, but this was proven false. Until yesterday, there was not even anyone providing legal assistance to him, who was even rumored to be backed by forces involved in state affairs manipulation."

People Power Party lawmakers with backgrounds as lawyers Park Hyung-soo and Jeon Ju-hye, former police officer Yoon Jae-ok, and former administrative official Park Soo-young will participate in the government questioning. Shin Won-sik, a former three-star general and a leading figure in raising suspicions about Minister Choo's son, is preparing for government questioning on foreign affairs, unification, and security. The party has also launched a campaign titled 'I am a party duty soldier' and announced that it is considering measures to protect whistleblowers.

[Image source=Yonhap News]