"If You Were Prosecutor, You Must Have Arrested Innocent People" Chu Mi-ae Snarks at Opposition Lawmaker Unaware Microphone Was On

Spoke Unaware Microphone Was On Right After Recess
Apologized Saying "Sorry" Amid Opposition's Backlash
Heated Debate with Opposition Lawmakers: "Is This Fair Now?"

Choo Mi-ae, Minister of Justice / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] On the 21st, Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae clashed with opposition lawmakers during the full meeting of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. On this day, Minister Choo made disparaging remarks about opposition lawmakers without realizing the microphone was on, which led to an apology.

Minister Choo engaged in a heated exchange with Rep. Jo Su-jin of the People Power Party. When Rep. Jo referred to Minister Choo's remark during the last government questioning on the 17th that "fairness does not come from a sharp tongue," and pressed, "Are you saying opposition lawmakers used baseless sharp tongues?" Minister Choo retorted, "You keep raising fairness as a topic, but is this really fair?"

She continued, "The opposition is the accuser, and I am the accused," adding, "They use the Legislation and Judiciary Committee as a pretext for pressing current issues, sitting me beside them while directing various insulting expressions at the Minister of National Defense, which is hard to endure."

With a trembling voice, she said, "Still, I will endure," but expressed discomfort by adding, "Truly, you are fair."

Minister of National Defense Suh Wook / Photo by Yonhap News

After the recess was declared, Minister Choo made disparaging remarks about opposition lawmakers while the microphone was still on, sparking controversy.

When Minister of National Defense Seo Wook, who was seated nearby, said, "You must be very uncomfortable," Minister Choo replied with a laugh, "It's absurd," and added, "But that person really made the right choice not to become a prosecutor and instead became a lawmaker. They will catch many innocent people." Their conversation was broadcast live in the meeting room through the open microphone.

It is unclear who "that person" referred to by Minister Choo is, but among the People Power Party members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, former prosecutors include Rep. Kim Do-eup and Rep. Yoo Sang-bum. Especially since Rep. Kim questioned Minister Choo just before the recess, there is a view that the remark was aimed at him.

When the meeting resumed around 8:45 p.m. after the recess, opposition lawmakers immediately raised issues with Minister Choo's remarks.

Rep. Yoo said, "How many controversies have there been in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee since Minister Choo's 'writing fiction' remark?" and urged an apology, saying, "What kind of behavior is it to say such things with the microphone on just because you don't like the questioning lawmaker?"

As opposition lawmakers continued to protest, Minister Choo apologized, saying, "I regret this for the smooth progress of the meeting," and "I feel sorry."

Rep. Kim, the person involved, pointed out, "Minister Choo's verbal controversies have caused fatigue and anger among the entire nation more than once," but added, "Personally, I find it truly insulting, but I will try to understand."