"Absurd and Ridiculous... Will Do My Best in the Position"
Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 5th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, expressed his feelings on the 16th regarding being prosecuted for spreading false information during the general election, saying, "I was speechless and laughed bitterly because it was absurd and ridiculous."
Choi said in a post on his Facebook that day, "I was conducting a national audit on railway-related public enterprises under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport until late at night when I heard the news from fellow lawmakers."
He criticized, "They must have been very anxious and nervous. Showing the same behavior with the same method every time is just tiresome and pitiful."
He continued, "I thought they would keep quiet for a while, but they inevitably popped up again and caused trouble," adding, "I hope they stop hiding behind the curtain set up by the media, wearing an ill-fitting official uniform, and engage in politics openly and fairly by revealing their true identity."
Choi also said, "Someone who claimed to be a 'constitutionalist' is ignoring the constitution and laws," and questioned, "I believe they at least remember what they said. Didn't they say that if prosecutors use investigative authority for retaliation, they are not prosecutors?"
He added, "It is pathetic and sad to see their true nature revealed so hollowly and blatantly," and concluded, "As always, I will do my best in my position. Even if dogs bark, the train runs. It seems the destination is not far away."
Earlier, on the 15th, the Public Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kwon Sang-dae) indicted Choi without detention on charges of spreading false information under the Public Official Election Act. Elected officials lose their seats if they are sentenced to a fine of 1 million won or more by the court for violating election laws.
Choi is accused of issuing a false internship certificate to Cho Mo (24), son of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, while working as a lawyer at the law firm Cheongmaek in 2017. The prosecution indicted him without detention in January on charges of obstruction of business.
Subsequently, Choi denied the charges related to the indictment during the general election period, claiming that the prosecution abused its authority. The prosecution judged this as spreading false information.
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