Choo Mi-ae: "Investigation of Cho Kuk's family is a human rights violation... Choi Jae-hyung entered politics too quickly"

Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is declaring her candidacy for the 20th presidential election at a studio in Heyri, Paju, Gyeonggi Province on June 23. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae, who has entered the presidential race, criticized former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung on the afternoon of the 5th, saying, "As a political novice, it is regrettable that you got involved in politics too quickly."

Regarding Choi’s statement in an interview with a media outlet that "the prosecution properly indicted, but former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae thinks it was interference and obstruction of the prosecution’s investigative authority," Chu posted on her Facebook, criticizing, "What is there to say about the prosecution under Yoon Seok-yeol conducting an unprecedented investigation that swept through the entire family of former Minister Cho Kuk, turning them into hostages of a family drama?"

Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae criticized former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung on the afternoon of the 5th, saying, "A political novice has been tainted by politics too quickly." Photo by Former Minister Choo's Facebook capture

She said, "The core crime related to the private equity fund, which Yoon Seok-yeol himself pointed out as someone who should not be near the president, was early on proven to be not guilty of violating the Capital Markets Act."

She continued, "The charge of forgery of a certificate of commendation for his children, which was hastily indicted as a separate case, is currently on trial. However, that too is related to a long time ago during his professor days and has nothing to do with abuse of power as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs," adding, "Those who went through the admissions officer system at the time and their parents question whether this case, targeting the Cho Kuk family as a private target of Yoon Seok-yeol rather than ordinary people, justifies such excessive investigation and prosecution."

Furthermore, former Minister Chu said, "Of course, it is a separate matter that former Minister Cho Kuk himself has apologized and expressed regret for benefiting from privileges beyond ordinary people," and asked former Chairman Choi, "Is it reasonable for someone from a constitutional institution to evaluate the excessive investigation and prosecution that defamed, violated human rights, and trampled on dignity as 'proper investigation and prosecution'?"