{"id":2204768,"date":"2024-04-19T18:09:34","date_gmt":"2024-04-19T09:09:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2204768"},"modified":"2024-04-22T16:25:10","modified_gmt":"2024-04-22T07:25:10","slug":"choo-mi-aes-path-from-judicial-bench-to-national-political-reformer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/04\/choo-mi-aes-path-from-judicial-bench-to-national-political-reformer\/","title":{"rendered":"Choo Mi-ae\u2019s path from judicial bench to national political reformer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Choo Mi-ae, a veteran South Korean politician and <\/span>former leader of the Democratic Party<\/span><\/a> (DP), has been a significant figure in the nation\u2019s political scene for over three decades. At 65, she is noted for her roles in both the judiciary and legislative branches, where she has championed progressive causes and pursued extensive reforms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Choo is currently a strong contender for the role of National Assembly speaker. If elected, she would be the first woman to hold this position, marking another milestone in a career that has both shaped and reflected South Korean politics.<\/span><\/p>\n

JUDICIAL BEGINNINGS<\/b><\/p>\n

Choo\u2019s record as a trailblazer started early. She earned a Bachelor of Law from Hanyang University in 1981, and she passed the competitive judicial examination in 1982, distinguishing herself as <\/span>one of only three women among 300 successful candidates<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

She embarked on her <\/span>judicial career<\/span><\/a> in 1985 after completing the two-year Judicial Research and Training Institute program. She initially served at the Chuncheon District Court. Subsequent assignments took her to the Incheon District Court in 1989 and the Jeonju District Court in 1993 before her appointment as a judge at the Gwangju High Court in 1995.<\/span><\/p>\n

During her tenure on the bench, Choo became known for her firm stand against the authoritarian tactics of the Chun Doo-hwan regime. Notably, she was the only judge to <\/span>reject a warrant request<\/span><\/a> from the regime to search and seize books deemed \u201cseditious,\u201d labeling it an attempt to suppress freedom of expression.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her judicial career was also marked by her refusal to issue arrest warrants in politically motivated cases where evidence was insufficient, often placing her at odds with governmental authorities and her judicial superiors who demanded conformity.<\/span><\/p>\n

These actions solidified her reputation as a judge committed to the rule of law and judicial integrity, establishing a narrative that would later serve as the foundation of her political career.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A young Choo Mi-ae (right) alongside former President Kim Dae-jung and first lady Lee Hee-ho | Image: Choo Mi-ae via Facebook<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

POLITICAL CAREER<\/b><\/p>\n

Choo transitioned from the judiciary to politics in 1995, <\/span>prompted by an invitation from Kim Dae-jung<\/span><\/a>, who later became president of South Korea in 1998. Resigning from her role as a judge at the Gwangju High Court, Choo joined the National Congress for New Politics Party.<\/span><\/p>\n

Defying conventional paths typically chosen by new female politicians, Choo opted to run in a constituency election rather than pursuing a proportional representation seat. Her <\/span>election to the National Assembly in 1996<\/span><\/a>, representing a precinct in eastern Seoul, made her as the first female lawmaker to win a constituency election in the nation\u2019s capital.<\/span><\/p>\n

In her legislative role, Choo dedicated herself to addressing human rights violations and combating censorship. In one notable instance in Oct. 1996, she brought attention to the <\/span>abuse and sexual harassment<\/span><\/a> faced by female university students during a police crackdown on a protest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Choo read out the details of the abuse during a National Assembly audit and told conservative lawmakers who attempted to silence her to leave the chamber if they didn\u2019t wish to hear it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Choo also played a key role in <\/span>advancing the Jeju April 3 Special Act<\/span><\/a>, aimed at investigating the events of the 1948 Jeju Uprising and the subsequent government-led massacre of civilians. The act, which Choo introduced in 1999, received <\/span>unanimous approval<\/span><\/a> from the National Assembly in 2000.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her advocacy extended to the labor sector, where she played a crucial role in 2009 as the chairperson of the Environment and Labor Committee. Choo thwarted government and ruling party efforts to extend the maximum employment duration for non-regular workers from two to four years.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Then-lawmaker Roh Moo-hyun speaks with Choo Mi-ae at an office of the United Liberal Democratic Party, Sept. 22, 1998 | Image: Roo Moo-hyun Archives<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

TIES WITH ROH MOO-HYUN<\/b><\/p>\n

Choo was an ardent supporter of Roh Moo-hyun during his 2002 presidential campaign. She played a <\/span>significant role<\/span><\/a> in his campaign and contributed to Roh\u2019s eventual victory.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Choo\u2019s relationship with Roh became strained following his election. In 2003, Roh, then the incumbent president, chose to depart from the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) to <\/span>establish the Uri Party<\/span><\/a>. Choo remained with the MDP, driven by her belief that substantive reforms could be more effectively achieved within the existing party framework rather than through division.<\/span><\/p>\n

The rift deepened in 2004 during the impeachment proceedings against Roh. Choo initially opposed the impeachment, advocating instead for internal party reform and cautioning against the political instability that might result from impeaching the president.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, faced with overwhelming pressure from her party colleagues, Choo eventually <\/span>voted in favor of the impeachment<\/span><\/a>. In the years following the impeachment vote, Choo <\/span>expressed regret<\/span><\/a> about her decision, stating that she had missed the opportunity to apologize to him directly before his death in 2009.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Choo Mi-ae speaks at the National Reporting Conference for Clarifying the Truth Behind the Park Geun-hye and Choi Soon-sil Scandal, Nov. 1, 2016 | Image: Democratic Party of Korea<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

LEADERSHIP ROLES<\/b><\/p>\n

In 2016, Choo made history as the first woman elected to lead the DP. Her tenure as party leader was marked by her <\/span>vocal opposition<\/span><\/a> to the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile defense system and <\/span>impeachment proceedings<\/span><\/a> against then-President Park Geun-hye.<\/span><\/p>\n

Choo was instrumental in uniting her party and securing votes from Park\u2019s Saenuri Party to build a case for impeachment, arguing that Park had violated the Constitution and betrayed the public trust.<\/span><\/p>\n

Following Park\u2019s impeachment, Choo led the DP to a decisive victory in the 2017 presidential election. Moon Jae-in captured <\/span>41.1% of the vote<\/span><\/a>, ending nearly a decade of conservative rule.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moon appointed Choo as justice minister in Jan. 2020 after the <\/span>abrupt resignation of Cho Kuk<\/span><\/a> \u2014 the current leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party.<\/span><\/p>\n

Upon becoming justice minister, Choo embarked on a mission to reform the prosecution system, which critics had long argued had wielded excessive power. Her <\/span>reform agenda<\/span><\/a> included establishing an independent investigative agency to address high-level corruption cases, a proposal met with substantial resistance from the prosecution service.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, Choo aimed to curb the prosecution\u2019s ability to initiate investigations without oversight and to increase transparency in the appointment process for senior prosecutors. These efforts led to a direct confrontation with Yoon Suk-yeol, the then-prosecutor-general, that saw <\/span>Choo attempt to suspend Yoon<\/span><\/a>, citing ethical violations and misuse of power.<\/span><\/p>\n

The dispute with Yoon not only intensified partisan tensions but also attracted significant media attention. In 2020, it was <\/span>reported<\/span><\/a> that Choo\u2019s son, who was serving in the Korean Armed Forces, had been granted an extended leave of absence due to medical reasons.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, questions were raised about the legitimacy of the medical exemption and whether Choo had used her influence as justice minister to secure preferential treatment for her son.<\/span><\/p>\n

The allegations sparked public outcry and led to an investigation by military authorities. While Choo denied any wrongdoing and maintained that her son\u2019s leave was granted through proper channels, the controversy damaged her reputation and raised concerns about abuse of power.<\/span><\/p>\n

The incident provided ammunition for Choo\u2019s political opponents, who sought to portray her as hypocritical and corrupt. The prolonged conflict eventually led to Choo\u2019s resignation as justice minister in Jan. 2021, where she cited the need to preserve stability within the ministry and ensure the continuity of the reform efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her clash with Yoon left a lasting impact on South Korea\u2019s political landscape and raised questions about the future of prosecutorial reform.<\/span><\/p>\n

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DP leader Lee Jae-myung holds a support rally for Choo Mi-ae in Hanam City, Gyeonggi Province, April 7, 2024 | Image: Democratic Party of Korea<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

WHY SHE MATTERS<\/b><\/p>\n

After resigning as justice minister, Choo briefly withdrew from the political arena before reentering to <\/span>secure a legislative seat<\/span><\/a> in Gyeonggi Province on April 10.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Choo enters her sixth term as a lawmaker in May, her extensive political career and seniority within the DP have positioned her as a likely candidate for the role of <\/span>National Assembly speaker<\/span><\/a>. Achieving this position would not only mark a significant milestone in her career but also reinforce her status as one of South Korea\u2019s most influential political figures.<\/span><\/p>\n

If she is chosen for the role, Choo would be poised to once again challenge President Yoon Suk-yeol \u2014 her former adversary during her tenure as justice minister.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yoon\u2019s <\/span>declining approval ratings<\/span><\/a> and the ruling People Power Party\u2019s failure to wrest control of the National Assembly from the DP mean that Choo could profoundly influence the direction of national politics, particularly in terms of prosecutorial reforms and judicial independence.<\/span><\/p>\n

BIO: CHOO MI-AE (\ucd94\ubbf8\uc560, \u79cb\u7f8e\u611b)<\/b><\/p>\n

Age:<\/b> 65, born on Oct. 23, 1958, in Daegu, South Korea<\/span><\/p>\n

Education:<\/b><\/p>\n