"Did the Approval Ghost Do It?" to Seong Il-jong... Anti-Corruption Commission: "Only Reported to the Chairman" (Summary)

Chairperson Jeon Hyun-hee of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission is entering the emergency Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] Seong Il-jong, Emergency Response Committee member of the People Power Party, launched a fierce attack on Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, who stated that she "did not intervene in the response related to Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae," saying, "Did a ghost approve it?" In response, the Commission rebutted, saying, "The term 'approval' did not mean actual approval but rather reporting to the Chairperson."

On the 17th, at the People Power Party Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly, Committee member Seong said, "When I sent an inquiry to the Commission on the 4th, a Commission staff member said, 'A response can only be submitted after the Chairperson's approval.'"

Previously, the Commission stated that there was "no conflict of interest" regarding the prosecution's investigation into the alleged special leave of Private Seo, the son of Minister Choo. They also responded that Chairperson Jeon, who is from the Democratic Party, did not intervene in this judgment.

However, Committee member Seong pointed out, referring to the staff member's remark that a response could only be submitted after the Chairperson's approval, "Did a ghost approve it?" He added, "Generally, when government departments submit responses to National Assembly inquiries, the responsible director or manager approves and sends them. It is very unusual for the head of the agency to approve and send them directly."

He criticized, "When I personally called Chairperson Jeon and asked, 'Please at least respond whether the prosecution's investigation into a case involving the Minister and her family constitutes a conflict of interest,' Chairperson Jeon said, 'I have inquired about the facts with the Ministry of Justice and will respond as soon as I receive the information.' However, now she is lying as if she had no knowledge and that it was done by the staff."

Committee member Seong criticized, "They delayed issuing the legal interpretation for ten days using the excuse that they needed the Chairperson's approval. If Chairperson Jeon did not intervene, what were they doing for ten days?"

He added, "As the head responsible for the people's rights and interests, do you have no shame in your conscience? Chairperson Jeon, please stop damaging the honor of the Commission officials who have worked with conviction and resign immediately."

In response, the Commission stated, "At that time, the term 'approval' did not mean actual approval but rather that the Chairperson needed to be informed. Since it was a major issue, it was only natural to report to the Chairperson." Furthermore, they rebutted again, saying, "The legal interpretation was completed at the staff level, and Chairperson Jeon was not involved in the process at all, only receiving the conclusion. There was no change in the legal interpretation after reporting to Chairperson Jeon."