Conservative Group: "Choo Extended Aide's Vacation and Lied"... Additional Accusation Filed

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] While the prosecution has decided not to indict Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, her son Seo Mo, and an aide regarding the allegations of 'special vacation privileges' for her son, a civic group has additionally filed a complaint against Minister Choo with the prosecution for spreading false information and other charges.

The Action Alliance for Establishing the Rule of Law (Beopse-ryeon) announced on the 29th that it filed a complaint with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office against Minister Choo for charges including obstruction of official duties by deception, spreading false information, and violation of the Personal Information Protection Act.

Beopse-ryeon stated, "Although Minister Choo was deeply involved in handling Seo's vacation, she lied during the confirmation hearing by denying any involvement," adding, "This constitutes obstruction of official duties by deception, as she interfered with the verification duties of the hearing committee with false facts to be appointed as Minister of Justice, causing misunderstanding, confusion, and negligence to the president, who holds the personnel authority."

They continued, "During the National Assembly's interpellation and the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, she said, 'Why would an aide take instructions for personal matters? There was no fact of ordering a phone call,' but this is a clear lie," and added, "She set guidelines for the prosecution investigation and avoided the crisis of resigning from her ministerial position, thus making false communications for her own benefit."

Beopse-ryeon also claimed that Minister Choo violated the Personal Information Protection Act by providing the aide with the phone number of a support officer, thereby leaking personal information.

The Association of Judicial Examination Preparers (Sajunmo) also stated in a press release on the same day, "Regardless of the prosecution's investigation results, Minister Choo is not free from moral and political responsibility and should resign from her position as Minister of Justice," adding, "The essence of this issue is not criminal punishment but whether the children of ordinary citizens receive the same treatment in the military."

They emphasized, "Minister Choo repeatedly lied during her past appearances at the National Assembly in response to opposition lawmakers' interpellations and questions at the Judiciary Committee," and added, "Other investigations related to Minister Choo are ongoing, and the public cannot help but have doubts about the fairness and integrity of a minister surrounded by such moral, political, and legal disputes performing her duties."