South Korean Lawmaker Faces Scrutiny Over Wedding Gift Returns and Potential Abuse of Power
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A controversy surrounding the wedding of the daughter of Rep. Choi Min-hee, chair of the National Assembly’s Science, Technology, Details, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, has ignited a political firestorm in South Korea. While the Democratic Party lawmaker reportedly returned gifts received during the national assembly audit on Thursday, October 26th, questions persist regarding the methods used and the potential for misuse of public resources. The situation has prompted calls for examination and even proposed legislation aimed at preventing similar incidents.
Telegram Messages and the Return of Funds
The controversy initially surfaced when Rep. Choi was photographed reviewing a Telegram message detailing congratulatory gifts – including amounts from large corporations and media companies – during a plenary session.According to Yonhap News, the message is believed to have been exchanged between Rep. Choi and her aides as they coordinated the return of the funds. This revelation sparked immediate criticism, centering on the optics of a public official seemingly managing a list of gifts received during an official period.
Concerns Over Aide Involvement and “Private Labor”
The method of returning the gifts has drawn particular ire. Critics argue that mobilizing congressional aides to handle a personal matter – the return of wedding gifts – constitutes an inappropriate use of public servants. Attorney Kim jae-ryeon,who previously represented the victim in the sexual harassment case involving the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon,voiced strong concerns on Facebook,questioning whether aides are “private employees” and labeling the task as “a public servant’s private labor.” She went further, stating, “This person’s brain doesn’t seem to be normal.”
This situation echoes past controversies within the Democratic Party, including allegations of aides being used for personal tasks by rep. Kang Seon-woo, who later lost an election following similar accusations. The compliance of Rep. Choi Min-hee’s aides, evidenced by their active posting on her Facebook page defending her actions, has further fueled concerns about potential pressure or coercion. On October 21st, an aide posted a statement “correcting the facts” regarding the wedding, and on October 26th, the office announced the return of funds via another Facebook post.
Calls for Investigation and New Legislation
Opposition lawmakers are demanding a thorough investigation into the total amount of congratulatory money received by Rep. Choi’s family. People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo called for Rep. Choi’s resignation and an investigation into potential bribery, questioning whether the returned funds – reportedly 9.3 million won – represent the full extent of the gifts received.He specifically highlighted the possibility of unreported cash gifts and potential violations of the Kim Young-ran Act,which restricts gifts to public officials.
People Power Party lawmaker Kim Mi-ae announced plans to quickly enact the “choi Min-hee Prevention Act,” aiming to prohibit the acceptance of gifts from organizations related to audited entities and strengthen ethical obligations for public officials. She also echoed calls for a deeper investigation, questioning whether the funds were received
Here’s a breakdown answering the “Why, Who, What, and How” questions:
Why: The controversy stems from concerns about a potential abuse of power and unethical behavior by Rep.Choi Min-hee, specifically regarding the handling of wedding gifts received by her family. The core issue is whether public resources (her aides) were inappropriately used for a personal matter.
Who: The central figure is **Rep. Choi Min
