[Summary] 'Suspicion of Military Leave No-Return' Chu Mi-ae's Son Cleared... Opposition Demands Special Prosecutor and Parliamentary Inquiry

People Power Party "Watching the Regime... No Expectation for Fair Investigation"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is responding to questions at the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee held on the 23rd at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Su-wan] As the prosecution, which has been investigating the allegations of 'military leave absence' involving Chu Mi-ae, Minister of Justice, and her son Seo Mo (27), decided not to indict Seo and other related parties, the People Power Party immediately reacted with opposition, demanding a special prosecutor investigation (special investigation) and a parliamentary audit.

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated in a commentary on the 28th, "The only way left to uncover the public's suspicions and approach the truth is through a special prosecutor," calling for the appointment of a special prosecutor.

Regarding the prosecution's decision not to indict, Spokesperson Kim criticized, "Trying to cover up the truth with a non-indictment decision that panders to the administration is unacceptable," and added, "It was difficult from the start to expect a fair investigation by the prosecution into the ruling power."

She continued, "From the delayed investigation of the case reported last January, and from the time when prosecutors favorable to the administration were consecutively assigned to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, both Minister Chu and the public were aware of the outcome," and criticized, "The swift announcement of non-indictment before Chuseok, taking advantage of the noise caused by North Korea's atrocities, also appears to be a highly political decision."

Members of the People Power Party belonging to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee also issued a statement on the same day, saying, "Ahead of the parliamentary audit, the Democratic Party is showing anxiety about adopting witnesses who could clarify the allegations related to Minister Chu's son," and urged that "if the audit ends as a 'bland audit' without a single key witness, a special investigation and a parliamentary inquiry will become even more inevitable," calling for the attendance of key witnesses related to the allegations at the audit.

They mentioned key witnesses such as "Hyun Mo, the then duty soldier who said, 'If called by the National Assembly, I will appear and testify,' and retired Colonel Lee Cheol-won, former commander of the Korean Army Support Group of the US 8th Army in Korea, who revealed that there were several requests for favors from Minister Chu's side regarding her son's unit assignment and selection as an interpreter for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics."

They added, "The Democratic Party claims that they cannot accept witness adoption because the case is under investigation, but we hope they recall that in October 2016, Woo Sang-ho, then floor leader of the Democratic Party, emphasized the adoption of witnesses related to ongoing investigations."

They emphasized, "The Democratic Party's excessive response is fueling suspicions," and stressed, "If the allegations, as claimed by Minister Chu or the ruling party, are baseless, there is no reason for the related parties not to come to the National Assembly and clarify the facts."

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Earlier, the prosecution decided not to indict Minister Chu, her son Seo, and her former aide regarding the allegations of preferential treatment during Seo's military service. The prosecution stated in a press release that it is difficult to see any deception or external pressure in the process of applying for and using sick leave and other leaves, and that Seo's failure to return to the unit was due to approved leave, making it difficult to recognize intent to desert military duty.

Regarding the allegations that Minister Chu requested a false extension of leave from senior officials in the Ministry of National Defense, the prosecution explained that since Seo did not obtain sick leave approval by deception, charges such as aiding desertion are not established.

The prosecution conducted about 15 summons investigations over approximately eight months since the complaint was filed on January 2, interviewing a total of 10 people including whistleblowers, the accused, and military personnel related to the leave.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party welcomed the prosecution's decision and held the People Power Party responsible for their previous offensive. Choi In-ho, senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said, "It is a just conclusion that Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae, her son, and aide were all cleared of charges," and added, "It has been proven that there was no deception or coercion in the process of applying for and using leave."

He criticized the People Power Party, saying, "This result shows that they have only made reckless allegations during the past period," and added, "I suspect that raising issues about the credibility of the prosecution's investigation was a preparatory step to justify baseless political attacks."

Spokesperson Choi demanded an apology from the People Power Party. He emphasized, "The People Power Party must apologize to the public for their behavior of engaging only in political strife with baseless political attacks while neglecting people's livelihoods," and stressed, "The outdated politics that seek political gain through indiscriminate attacks without fact-checking must end now."