Shin Won-sik: "The person who called to extend Chu Mi-ae's son's leave is a woman"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] A claim has been raised that the person who called the Ministry of National Defense's civil affairs office regarding the extension of the military leave of Mr. Seo, the son of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, was a woman.

On the 16th, Shin Won-sik, a member of the People Power Party, cited an anonymous tip during the confirmation hearing of Defense Minister nominee Seo Wook at the National Assembly, stating, "A woman called regarding Mr. Seo's leave extension," and added, "When asked to record personal information, the name given was registered as the husband of Minister Choo Mi-ae."

Rep. Shin emphasized, "The voice was that of a woman," and elaborated, "At the time, the person answering the call probably did not know whether the name was male or female." Regarding the informant, he said, "The informant's current position is such that revealing their identity is somewhat difficult."

According to the Ministry of National Defense, a 2017 interview record written by the support team leader of Mr. Seo's unit states that "Mr. Seo's parents filed a complaint with the Ministry of National Defense regarding the leave extension."

The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office Criminal Division 1 conducted a search and seizure of the Ministry of National Defense's civil affairs office and the Defense Information & Communication Agency the day before. This was to find the recorded file containing the content and voice of a phone inquiry made by one of Minister Choo's couple to the Ministry of National Defense's civil affairs office on June 14, 2017, regarding their son Mr. Seo's leave extension. Inside and outside the military, it was speculated that the recording file had been destroyed after the retention period (3 years) had passed, but the Ministry of National Defense has remained silent.

Minister Choo responded to related questions during the government questioning session at the National Assembly on the 14th, saying, "I did not make the call." When asked, "Did your husband make the call?" she replied, "I am not in a position to ask my husband."