"Son Wants to Extend Military Leave... Please Respond" 청 National Petition by Parents of Three Sons

"Since I Called, Let My Son Take Leave Too" Ministry of National Defense Faces Flood of Complaints

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] After the Ministry of National Defense stated that there was no regulatory issue regarding the special leave allegations involving Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's son, Seo Mo (27), protest calls have been flooding the Ministry of National Defense's civil affairs office, and a petition was posted claiming to extend a soldier son's leave by phone.

On the 11th, a post titled "I want to extend my son's leave!" was uploaded on the Blue House National Petition Board. As of 1:30 PM on the 15th, the petition had received about 4,936 endorsements.

The petitioner, who stated they are raising three sons, said, "The eldest served in the Army, the second was discharged from the Navy," and added, "The third is currently serving in the Air Force, and when he comes on leave this time, I will try to extend his leave by phone without sending him back."

They continued, "I was also discharged as an Army sergeant," and added, "Please let me know if this is possible."

According to a Channel A report on the same day, after the Ministry of National Defense announced that leave extension by phone is possible like in the case of Minister Choo's son Seo, the Ministry's civil affairs office was inundated with protest calls. Although leave is generally restricted due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), parents of soldiers have been flooding the office with sarcastic complaints, saying, "Since a phone call was made, please grant leave to our sons as well."

A Ministry of National Defense comprehensive civil affairs office official said in an interview, "If I hang up this call, I will receive another call like this (about leave inquiries). We are continuously receiving (protest) calls."

They added, "Whether it is the President of our country or the President of the United States calling, we do not have the authority to grant leave just because someone calls," expressing frustration.

Earlier, on the 10th, the Ministry of National Defense distributed materials related to the "Minister of Justice's son's leave" to the press, explaining the petition leave procedures and KATUSA Army regulations.

In the explanatory materials, the Ministry stated, "The basis for petition leave for medical treatment is Article 12, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Status of Soldiers and Their Service, which allows commanders to approve leave within 30 days for soldiers' injuries or illnesses."

They further explained, "According to Article 6, Paragraph 2 of the Directive on Health Insurance Treatment for Active Duty Soldiers, unit commanders could approve an extension of petition leave within 20 days if the conditions in Article 3 apply."

Regarding Seo's extension of sick leave by phone, the Ministry stated, "Leave is granted with the approval of the authority, and while verbal approval can also authorize leave, it is standard procedure to issue a leave order as a subsequent administrative action. In cases of unavoidable circumstances during leave, extension by phone is possible," deeming it lawful.

Meanwhile, Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at the party's strategy meeting on the 15th regarding the allegations about Minister Choo's son, "The fact is that a young man took sick leave during military service to undergo surgery, and because his condition did not improve, he extended his personal leave for treatment. Sick leave and leave were conducted according to regulations."

Regarding the opposition party's claim that Seo should have returned and personally applied for the leave extension, he rebutted, "If there is approval from the person in charge, it is possible for someone who has not returned to use leave," adding, "If there are unavoidable circumstances during leave, applications can be made by phone, email, or KakaoTalk."

Yoon Hee-seok, spokesperson for the People Power Party, criticized in a statement that day, "The Ministry of National Defense has ignited the hearts of mothers and young people nationwide with a clumsy explanation."