Choi Minhee Says Wedding Gift List Message Was for Returning Congratulatory Money

On October 26, a representative for Choi Minhee, Chairperson of the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee and a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on the Telegram messages regarding congratulatory money for her daughter's wedding reported by the Seoul Shinmun. The representative stated, "The messages were instructions to aides to return congratulatory money received from institutions and companies."

Choi Minhee, Chairperson of the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee, is presiding over the government audit on the Korea Broadcasting System (KBS), Educational Broadcasting System (EBS), Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), and the major shareholder Broadcasting Culture Promotion Agency at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on October 23, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Through a press notice on the same day, Choi's office explained, "Chairperson Choi continued to conduct the government audit throughout the past week, and since both the bride and groom were extremely busy, the list of congratulatory money was checked today." The statement was made in response to a Seoul Shinmun photo article showing Assemblywoman Choi sending a list of names and amounts of congratulatory money received from large corporations and media company officials to her aides via Telegram from the National Assembly plenary session hall.

Choi's office further clarified, "The list included congratulatory money received from institutions and companies related to the standing committee, as well as money from those not related to the committee but considered excessive given personal relationships. It was decided that these would be immediately returned, and the list and amounts were shared for this purpose." The office added, "In cases where the identity could not be confirmed by name alone, the funds will be returned as soon as confirmation is possible."