Kang Chang-il: "Is Choo's Son An Jung-geun? Does Everyone Become An Jung-geun After Military Service?"

Former Kang Chang-il, Democratic Party of Korea member. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Former Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Chang-il criticized the Democratic Party on the 17th for comparing Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's son to independence activist Ahn Jung-geun, saying, "Then does that mean all South Korean citizens are Ahn Jung-geun?"

Former lawmaker Kang appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that day and said, "It was more than a misunderstanding; it was an overreaction. In other words, it went too far."

He added, "It makes sense to say he went to the military to protect the country," but also said, "Then that would mean everyone who has served in the South Korean military is Ahn Jung-geun."

Earlier, on the 16th, Park Sung-jun, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, in a written briefing, likened Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's son to Ahn Jung-geun by saying, "He personally practiced the words of Ahn Jung-geun, who said 'It is the duty of a soldier to devote his body for the country (Wi-guk Heon-shin Gun-in Bon-bun, 爲國獻身軍人本分).'"

'Wi-guk Heon-shin Gun-in Bon-bun' is a phrase from a calligraphy left by Ahn Jung-geun after his death sentence in Lushun Prison, China. President Moon Jae-in also quoted it during the Memorial Day ceremony in June.

Following criticism that the citation was inappropriate, spokesperson Park revised his statement and removed the phrase.