Autumn, Kim Do-eup Calls "Minister, Minister, Minister" Three Times but Receives Silence
Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is responding to questions at the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] On the 23rd, at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee plenary session, Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae remained silent in response to questions from opposition party lawmakers, sparking a heated exchange between the ruling and opposition parties. Kim Jin-ae, a member of the Open Democratic Party, praised it as a "dignified response," while Cho Soo-jin of the People Power Party criticized it as a "selective silent practice."
During the committee meeting, Kim Do-eup of the People Power Party questioned Minister Choo regarding the investigation into the petition case against Park Deok-heum, who is embroiled in a conflict of interest controversy, calling her "Justice Minister" three times, but Minister Choo did not respond.
When Kim asked, "Are you not going to answer now?" Minister Choo replied, "I am listening." However, when Kim asked again, "Shall I ask the question?" Minister Choo remained silent.
A similar situation occurred when Cho Soo-jin of the People Power Party requested a current affairs inquiry.
Cho pointed out to Minister Choo, "An exculpatory search was conducted after eight months regarding the allegations involving your son." Minister Choo retorted, "I don't quite understand why this is considered a current issue. I have not received a report on this case."
When Cho asked, "Isn't the Justice Minister in charge of legal administration and prosecution? What is the status of the investigation?" Minister Choo did not answer.
Witnessing this, Kim Jin-ae of the Open Democratic Party defended Minister Choo, saying, "I do not want the National Assembly to be seen as a hateful group or the Legislation and Judiciary Committee to be perceived as smelling like tabloid trash and cheap. The Justice Minister's silence is a form of silent practice, a dignified response."
In response, Cho sharply criticized, "That is selective silent practice. Minister Choo remains silent only on her own issues."
On the same day, Yoon Ho-jung, chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, addressed Minister Choo, saying, "Opposition members have repeatedly pointed out when your microphone is on," but added, "You have the freedom not to answer, but you also have the duty to answer sincerely, so please do so."
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