Minister Seo Wook: "Policy Review Needed While Receiving Legal Judgment on the Late Byeon Hee-su Case"

Defense Minister Seo Wook is taking the oath as a witness at the National Assembly's National Defense Committee's audit of the Ministry of National Defense held at the National Assembly on the 21st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Seo Wook, Minister of National Defense, who decided to appeal the first trial ruling that the discharge of the late Corporal Byeon Hee-soo was unfair, responded, "I believe that we need to conduct policy review while receiving legal judgment."

On the 21st, during the comprehensive audit of the National Defense Committee at the National Assembly, when Democratic Party lawmaker Ki Dong-min pointed out that "the Ministry of National Defense should conduct basic investigations, research, and direction planning before appealing," Seo said, "We are neither neglecting nor ignoring the issue, and we will work to resolve it at a faster pace." This is interpreted as meaning that policy research will be conducted concurrently while the appeal proceeds.

On the 20th, the Ministry of National Defense stated regarding the appeal, "We respect the first trial court's ruling, but since it is necessary to receive the judgment of a higher court, we have decided to request the Ministry of Justice to direct the appeal."

However, the position of the Ministry of Justice may change. Although the military requested the Ministry of Justice to direct the appeal, there have been 2 to 3 cases each year where the Ministry of Justice has decided to forgo the appeal.

At the comprehensive audit of the National Assembly's Judiciary Committee on the same day, Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, said, "We need to consider Corporal Byeon's dignity and the public's sense of justice. While respecting the Ministry of National Defense's opinion, I plan to form a committee to review whether to appeal, hold discussions, and make the final decision myself."