Choo Mi-ae's Second Defense... 'Mysterious Woman' Controversy

Opposition Party Announces Full-Scale Government Questioning Offensive on the 17th... Seo's Side Calls It a "Cowardly Political Ploy"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] "I have never called the Ministry of National Defense's civil affairs office. I am not in a position to ask my husband about it." (Choo Mi-ae, Minister of Justice, during the government questioning on the 14th)

The Ministry of National Defense records state that "Mr. Seo (Minister Choo's son)'s parents filed a complaint with the Ministry of National Defense regarding an extension of leave." However, Minister Choo said during the government questioning that it was not her. If it was not her, it would have to be her husband, but she did not confirm that. On the 16th, Shin Won-sik, a member of the People Power Party, citing an anonymous tip, claimed that "the complaint record included the name of Minister Choo's husband." However, the newly emerged puzzle piece that day was that the person who answered the phone had a "female voice."

On the afternoon of the 17th, Minister Choo will respond again to the National Assembly's government questioning. The opposition party has announced a full-scale offensive. Whether it is perjury or a misunderstanding, what explanation Minister Choo will provide has become a key point to watch. Considering Minister Choo's remarks at the National Assembly on the 14th, a 'perjury' controversy could arise. However, Mr. Seo's side immediately responded to Mr. Shin's claim, calling it a "cowardly political maneuver using parliamentary immunity" and stating that it was "a claim that stirs suspicion as if Minister Choo herself made the call."

The acceleration of the prosecution's investigation is also a variable. Following the prosecution's raid on the Ministry of National Defense and the Army Headquarters, they have begun investigating about 1,500 recorded phone calls from the civil affairs office obtained during the process. This is the most important process to clarify the identity of the "mysterious woman" raised by Mr. Shin, as well as to determine whether the call was a simple complaint or if it was considered a request or external pressure.

However, the political burden that Minister Choo herself must bear has increased. Even if all suspicions are blocked, the Ministry of National Defense has already suffered considerable damage not only to the outgoing minister but also to the incoming minister, and the atmosphere within the military has cooled due to the controversy over Mr. Seo's preferential treatment.

Preparation for the prosecution's investigation is also necessary. In the legal community, the possibility that the prosecution will directly investigate Minister Choo in the future is not ruled out at all. Considering her current position, it may be replaced by a written statement, but if evidence supporting Minister Choo's charges emerges during the investigation, an unprecedented situation could occur where the Minister of Justice is subject to prosecution investigation.

A former prosecutor turned lawyer said, "Once the authenticity of the recorded files obtained through raids is confirmed and the analysis of the evidence collected by the prosecution is completed, summoning and questioning of related parties should naturally take place," adding, "Considering these points, Minister Choo is also expected to be reserved in her statements during the government questioning."