Choe Kang-wook: Difference between revisions
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{{family name hatnote|Choe||lang=Korean}} |
{{family name hatnote|Choe||lang=Korean}} |
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{{Infobox officeholder |
{{Infobox officeholder |
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| image = |
| image = 최강욱 의원.png |
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| caption = |
| caption = |
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| name = Choe Kang-wook |
| name = Choe Kang-wook |
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| predecessor3 = [[Kim Jong-ho (1962)|Kim Jong-ho]] |
| predecessor3 = [[Kim Jong-ho (1962)|Kim Jong-ho]] |
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| successor3 = [[Lee Nam-koo]] |
| successor3 = [[Lee Nam-koo]] |
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| party = [[Democratic Party of Korea|Democratic Party]] |
| party = [[Democratic Party of Korea|Democratic Party]] <small>(suspended)</small> |
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| otherparty = [[Open Democratic Party|ODP]] <small>(2020-2022)</small> |
| otherparty = [[Open Democratic Party|ODP]] <small>(2020-2022)</small> |
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| alma_mater = [[Seoul National University]] |
| alma_mater = [[Seoul National University]] |
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| module2 = {{Infobox Korean name |
| module2 = {{Infobox Korean name |
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|child=yes |
|child=yes |
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|hangul = |
|hangul = 최강욱 |
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|hanja = {{linktext |
|hanja = {{linktext|崔|康|旭}} |
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|rr = Choe |
|rr = Choe Ganguk |
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|mr = Ch'oe |
|mr = Ch'oe Kanguk |
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}} |
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'''Choe Kang-wook''' ({{ |
'''Choe Kang-wook''' ({{Korean|hangul=최강욱}}; born 24 March 1968) is a South Korean lawyer and politician who was the former President of the [[Open Democratic Party]] (ODP) from 2020 to 2022. He served as the Secretary to the President for Public Office Discipline from September 2018 to March 2020. In the [[2020 South Korean legislative election|2020 election]], he was elected as a [[National Assembly (South Korea)|Member of the National Assembly]]. In September 2023, the [[Supreme Court of Korea]] removed him from office as a member of the National Assembly after it upheld his sentence of a suspended eight month prison term for his involvement in forging a fake internship certificate for the son of the Justice Minister [[Cho Kuk]]. |
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==Early life and education== |
==Early life and education== |
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== Career == |
== Career == |
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=== Military judicial officer === |
=== Military judicial officer === |
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He was qualified for the [[bar (law)|bar]] for military judicial officer in 1994.<ref name="choi">{{cite news |date= 6 September 2018|title= 최강욱 신임 청와대 공직기강비서관이 군검찰에 '레전드'로 남은 이유|url= https://www.huffingtonpost.kr/entry/choiganguk_kr_5b9093d2e4b0162f4729b509|access-date= 6 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="kang">{{cite news |date= 5 September 2018|title= [프로필] 최강욱 청와대 민정수석실 공직기강비서관|url= http://m.joseilbo.com/news/view.htm?newsid=360258|access-date= 6 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="wook">{{cite news |date= 5 September 2018|title= 최강욱 변호사, 청와대 공직기강비서관에 발탁|url= http://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/View/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0002469486|access-date= 6 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="ckw">{{cite news |date= 15 November 2018|title= 최강욱 변호사, 공직기강비서관 내정|url= https://www.jbtheblue.com/mobile/article.html?no=19|access-date= 6 May 2020}}</ref> Prior to be transferred to [[major]] in 2005, he was the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) of the 3rd Cops, Chief Prosecutor of the [[Prosecutors Office Ministry of National Defence]] and the Deputy Chief of the High Public Prosecutor's Office.<ref name="choi"/><ref name="kang"/><ref name="wook"/><ref name="ckw"/> |
He was qualified for the [[bar (law)|bar]] for military judicial officer in 1994.<ref name="choi">{{cite news |date= 6 September 2018|title= 최강욱 신임 청와대 공직기강비서관이 군검찰에 '레전드'로 남은 이유|url= https://www.huffingtonpost.kr/entry/choiganguk_kr_5b9093d2e4b0162f4729b509|access-date= 6 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="kang">{{cite news |date= 5 September 2018|title= [프로필] 최강욱 청와대 민정수석실 공직기강비서관|url= http://m.joseilbo.com/news/view.htm?newsid=360258|access-date= 6 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="wook">{{cite news |date= 5 September 2018|title= 최강욱 변호사, 청와대 공직기강비서관에 발탁|url= http://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/View/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0002469486|access-date= 6 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="ckw">{{cite news |date= 15 November 2018|title= 최강욱 변호사, 공직기강비서관 내정|url= https://www.jbtheblue.com/mobile/article.html?no=19|access-date= 6 May 2020}}</ref> Prior to be transferred to [[major (rank)|major]] in 2005, he was the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) of the 3rd Cops, Chief Prosecutor of the [[Prosecutors Office Ministry of National Defence]] and the Deputy Chief of the High Public Prosecutor's Office.<ref name="choi"/><ref name="kang"/><ref name="wook"/><ref name="ckw"/> |
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He took a prominent role in 2004 when he led an investigation against corruption scandals within the military.<ref name="kang"/><ref name="wook"/><ref name="ckw"/> In January, he arrested and charged the then Deputy Commander of R.O.K.-U.S. Combined Forces Command [[Shin Il-soon]] for being alleged to embezzle the troop budget and public funds.<ref name="kang"/><ref name="wook"/><ref name="ckw"/> The investigation was also brought to a bribery occurred at a promotion to [[general officer|general]], in which led the then [[Chief of Army Staff (South Korea)|Chief of Army Staff]] [[Nam Jae-jun]] to resign in November.<ref name="kang"/><ref name="wook"/><ref name="ckw"/> His resignation was, however, rejected by the then [[President of South Korea|President]] [[Roh Moo-hyun]].<ref>{{cite news |date= 25 November 2004|title= 남재준 육군참모총장 진급비리 관련 사의표명, 대통령 반려[금기종]|url= https://imnews.imbc.com/replay/2004/nwdesk/article/1939199_30775.html|access-date= 6 May 2020}}</ref> |
He took a prominent role in 2004 when he led an investigation against corruption scandals within the military.<ref name="kang"/><ref name="wook"/><ref name="ckw"/> In January, he arrested and charged the then Deputy Commander of R.O.K.-U.S. Combined Forces Command [[Shin Il-soon]] for being alleged to embezzle the troop budget and public funds.<ref name="kang"/><ref name="wook"/><ref name="ckw"/> The investigation was also brought to a bribery occurred at a promotion to [[general officer|general]], in which led the then [[Chief of Army Staff (South Korea)|Chief of Army Staff]] [[Nam Jae-jun]] to resign in November.<ref name="kang"/><ref name="wook"/><ref name="ckw"/> His resignation was, however, rejected by the then [[President of South Korea|President]] [[Roh Moo-hyun]].<ref>{{cite news |date= 25 November 2004|title= 남재준 육군참모총장 진급비리 관련 사의표명, 대통령 반려[금기종]|url= https://imnews.imbc.com/replay/2004/nwdesk/article/1939199_30775.html|access-date= 6 May 2020}}</ref> |
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On 19 April, Choe was appointed the interim President of the ODP following the resignation of the incumbent [[Lee Keun-shik]] due to the poor performance in the election.<ref>{{cite news |date= 19 April 2020|title= 열린민주, 이근식·정봉주 사임…최강욱 비대위 체제|url= https://www.nocutnews.co.kr/news/5330463|access-date= 10 May 2020}}</ref> Being the sole candidate running for the party's presidency,<ref>{{cite news |date= 6 May 2020|title= 열린민주당 대표 후보, 최강욱 당선인 '단독' 출마|url= https://news.mt.co.kr/mtview.php?no=2020050618337678590|access-date= 10 May 2020}}</ref> he was elected the ODP President on 12 May with the support of 99.6%.<ref>{{cite news |date= 12 May 2020|title= 열린민주당 첫 당대표에 최강욱 당선자 선출|url= http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/assembly/944581.html|access-date= 12 May 2020}}</ref> |
On 19 April, Choe was appointed the interim President of the ODP following the resignation of the incumbent [[Lee Keun-shik]] due to the poor performance in the election.<ref>{{cite news |date= 19 April 2020|title= 열린민주, 이근식·정봉주 사임…최강욱 비대위 체제|url= https://www.nocutnews.co.kr/news/5330463|access-date= 10 May 2020}}</ref> Being the sole candidate running for the party's presidency,<ref>{{cite news |date= 6 May 2020|title= 열린민주당 대표 후보, 최강욱 당선인 '단독' 출마|url= https://news.mt.co.kr/mtview.php?no=2020050618337678590|access-date= 10 May 2020}}</ref> he was elected the ODP President on 12 May with the support of 99.6%.<ref>{{cite news |date= 12 May 2020|title= 열린민주당 첫 당대표에 최강욱 당선자 선출|url= http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/assembly/944581.html|access-date= 12 May 2020}}</ref> |
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On 26 December 2021, both the Democratic Party and the ODP agreed to merge each other, under the name of the "Democratic Party of Korea".<ref>{{cite news |date= 26 December 2021|title= 민주·열린민주당, '더불어민주당' 당명 통합에 합의|url= https://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0101_202112261419060270|access-date= 18 January 2022}}</ref> The ODP was later merged into the Democratic Party on 18 January 2022.<ref>{{cite news |date= 18 January 2022|title= 민주당·열린민주당, 오늘 합당 최종 선언|url= https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=5374866&ref=A|access-date= 18 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="merge">{{cite news |date= 18 January 2022|title= 더불어민주당·열린민주당, 합당 절차 마무리…"중단없는 개혁"|url= http://news.tf.co.kr/read/ptoday/1913234.htm|access-date= 18 January 2022}}</ref> As a part of the agreement, Choe became one of the vice presidents of the Democratic Party.<ref name="merge"/> |
On 26 December 2021, both the Democratic Party and the ODP agreed to merge each other, under the name of the "Democratic Party of Korea".<ref>{{cite news |date= 26 December 2021|title= 민주·열린민주당, '더불어민주당' 당명 통합에 합의|url= https://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0101_202112261419060270|access-date= 18 January 2022}}</ref> The ODP was later merged into the Democratic Party on 18 January 2022.<ref>{{cite news |date= 18 January 2022|title= 민주당·열린민주당, 오늘 합당 최종 선언|url= https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=5374866&ref=A|access-date= 18 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="merge">{{cite news |date= 18 January 2022|title= 더불어민주당·열린민주당, 합당 절차 마무리…"중단없는 개혁"|url= http://news.tf.co.kr/read/ptoday/1913234.htm|access-date= 18 January 2022}}</ref> As a part of the agreement, Choe became one of the vice presidents of the Democratic Party.<ref name="merge"/> |
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==== Cho Won Fake Internship Certificate Scandal ==== |
==== Cho Won Fake Internship Certificate Scandal ==== |
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In 2017, Choe helped to write a fake internship certificate for the former [[Ministry of Justice (South Korea)|Minister of Justice]] [[Cho Kuk]]'s son, Cho Won. The internship certificate stated that from January 2017 until October 2017, Cho Won had worked a total of sixteen hours, coming to work 2 days a week.<ref name="KJAD">{{cite news |last1=Ser |first1=Myo-ja |title=Rep. Choe convicted for giving false documents to former minister's son |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/01/28/national/socialAffairs/Choe-Kangwook-Cho-Kuk-Cho-Min/20210128194708034.html |access-date=18 September 2023 |work= |
In 2017, Choe helped to write a fake internship certificate for the former [[Ministry of Justice (South Korea)|Minister of Justice]] [[Cho Kuk]]'s son, Cho Won. The internship certificate stated that from January 2017 until October 2017, Cho Won had worked a total of sixteen hours, coming to work 2 days a week.<ref name="KJAD">{{cite news |last1=Ser |first1=Myo-ja |title=Rep. Choe convicted for giving false documents to former minister's son |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/01/28/national/socialAffairs/Choe-Kangwook-Cho-Kuk-Cho-Min/20210128194708034.html |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]] |date=28 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The internship certificate helped Cho Won apply and be admitted into the [[Yonsei University|Yonsei University Graduate School]], and receive a master's degree in political science.<ref name="yonhaphwang" /> Choe denied it, insisting that the ex-Justice Minister's son had really completed his internship course and therefore the certificate was genuine.<ref name="internship">{{cite news |date= 7 January 2020|title= [단독] 최강욱 ‘조국 아들 인턴 확인서는 진본’ 반박…"검찰, 소환 불응땐 공소장에 실명 명시 협박"|url= http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/bluehouse/923409.html|access-date= 12 May 2020}}</ref> He also added that the prosecution threatened him to attend, otherwise they would reveal his real name in public.<ref name="internship"/> However, ''[[Kyunghyang Shinmun]]'' reported that while he was a lawyer, he once represented Cho Kuk's wife [[Chung Kyung-shim]] during a case of property succession.<ref>{{cite news |date= 3 January 2020|title= [단독]조국 아들 ‘가짜 인턴’ 발급 최강욱, 과거 정경심 변호했다|url= http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=202001030600015&code=940301|access-date= 12 May 2020}}</ref> Before that, according to ''[[JoongAng Ilbo]]'', he was in charge of personnel verification of Cho Kuk during the time of his appointment.<ref>{{cite news |date= 1 January 2020|title= 이번엔 검증 품앗이? 허위확인서 발급한 최강욱이 조국 검증|url= https://news.joins.com/article/23670997|access-date= 12 May 2020}}</ref> |
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On 7 January 2020, the [[Liberty Korea Party]] filed a lawsuit against Choe for obstruction and breaching the Anti-graft Law.<ref>{{cite news |date= 7 January 2020|title= 한국당 "최강욱, 조국 아들 인턴증명서 허위 발급으로 고발"|url= https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/202001071952372097|access-date= 12 May 2020}}</ref> 16 days later, he was charged by the prosecution.<ref>{{cite news |date= 23 January 2020|title= '조국 아들 허위 인턴 의혹' 최강욱 기소…윤석열 직접 지시|url= https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1005617454|access-date= 12 May 2020}}</ref> On 22 April, he was again sued by a civic organisation for bribery.<ref>{{cite news |date= 22 April 2020|title= ‘조국 아들 허위 인턴증명서’ 최강욱, 뇌물공여 혐의로 또 고발당해|url= http://www.donga.com/news/Main/article/all/20200422/100758737/1|access-date= 12 May 2020}}</ref> |
On 7 January 2020, the [[Liberty Korea Party]] filed a lawsuit against Choe for obstruction and breaching the Anti-graft Law.<ref>{{cite news |date= 7 January 2020|title= 한국당 "최강욱, 조국 아들 인턴증명서 허위 발급으로 고발"|url= https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/202001071952372097|access-date= 12 May 2020}}</ref> 16 days later, he was charged by the prosecution.<ref>{{cite news |date= 23 January 2020|title= '조국 아들 허위 인턴 의혹' 최강욱 기소…윤석열 직접 지시|url= https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1005617454|access-date= 12 May 2020}}</ref> On 22 April, he was again sued by a civic organisation for bribery.<ref>{{cite news |date= 22 April 2020|title= ‘조국 아들 허위 인턴증명서’ 최강욱, 뇌물공여 혐의로 또 고발당해|url= http://www.donga.com/news/Main/article/all/20200422/100758737/1|access-date= 12 May 2020}}</ref> |
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On 28 January 2021, Choe was sentenced to a suspended 8 month prison sentence with a stay of execution for 2 years for the crime of obstruction of business by the [[Seoul Central District Court]].<ref>{{cite news |date= 28 January 2021|title= ‘조국 아들 허위 인턴확인서’ 최강욱 1심 유죄…의원직 상실형|url= https://www.donga.com/news/Society/article/all/20210128/105161353/2|access-date= 28 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date= 28 January 2021|title= '조국아들 인턴확인서 허위발급' 최강욱 의원직 상실형(종합)|url= https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20210128073452004|access-date= 28 January 2021}}</ref> The judge, Jeong Jong-geon, stated according to the claims of the fake internship certificate, Cho Won would have worked an average of twelve minutes for every time he visited the office. He also stated that the employees at the law firm had never seen Cho Won working regularly as an intern.<ref name="KJAD" /> On 18 September 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the Seoul Central District Court's verdict.<ref name="yonhaphwang" /> |
On 28 January 2021, Choe was sentenced to a suspended 8 month prison sentence with a stay of execution for 2 years for the crime of obstruction of business by the [[Seoul Central District Court]].<ref>{{cite news |date= 28 January 2021|title= ‘조국 아들 허위 인턴확인서’ 최강욱 1심 유죄…의원직 상실형|url= https://www.donga.com/news/Society/article/all/20210128/105161353/2|access-date= 28 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date= 28 January 2021|title= '조국아들 인턴확인서 허위발급' 최강욱 의원직 상실형(종합)|url= https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20210128073452004|access-date= 28 January 2021}}</ref> The judge, Jeong Jong-geon, stated according to the claims of the fake internship certificate, Cho Won would have worked an average of twelve minutes for every time he visited the office. He also stated that the employees at the law firm had never seen Cho Won working regularly as an intern.<ref name="KJAD" /> On 18 September 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the Seoul Central District Court's verdict.<ref name="yonhaphwang" /> |
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On 18 September 2023, he was removed from office as a member of the National Assembly in accordance with the Public Official Election Act and the National Assembly Act, due to receiving a prison sentence for his involvement in Cho Won's fake internship certificate.<ref>{{cite web |title=DP Rep.’s Sentence Upheld for False Internship Cert. for Cho Kuk’s Son |url=http://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=180561 |website=KBS World |access-date=19 September 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="yonhaphwang">{{cite news |last1=Jang-jin |first1=Hwang |title=Opposition lawmaker loses seat as top court upholds sentence over academic fraud |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230918005300315 |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=[[Yonhap News Agency]] |date=18 September 2023 |language=en}}</ref> |
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=== Suspension from Democratic Party === |
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During a book publishing event on November 19, 2023, Choe made a sexist comment, referring to the South Korean First Lady [[Kim Keon-hee]] as an ''amkeot'' ({{Korean|hangul=암컷|lit=female animal}}). He was criticized by both members of the ruling [[People Power Party (South Korea)|People Power Party]] and his own party, the Democratic Party. The [[Korean National Council of Women]] called on Choe to apologize for his derogatory remarks.<ref>{{cite web |title=한국여성단체협 "암컷 막말 최강욱, 사과하라"…재발방지 약속도 요구 |url=https://www.donga.com/news/Politics/article/all/20231121/122286092/2 |website=[[The Dong-a Ilbo]] |access-date=22 November 2023 |language=ko |date=21 November 2023}}</ref> On November 22, the Democratic Party suspended Choe Kang-wook's party membership for six months in response.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jae-eun |first1=Kang |title=DP imposes 6-month membership suspension on ex-lawmaker for using inappropriate language |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231122006500315?section=national/politics |website=[[Yonhap News Agency]] |access-date=22 November 2023 |language=en |date=22 November 2023}}</ref> |
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== Controversies == |
== Controversies == |
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[[Category:1968 births]] |
[[Category:1968 births]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:20th-century South Korean judges]] |
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[[Category:Members of the National Assembly (South Korea)]] |
[[Category:Members of the National Assembly (South Korea)]] |
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[[Category:People from Namwon]] |
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[[Category:Politicians from North Jeolla Province]] |
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[[Category:21st-century South Korean lawyers]] |
[[Category:21st-century South Korean lawyers]] |
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[[Category:South Korean criminals]] |
[[Category:South Korean criminals]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Democratic Party of Korea politicians]] |
Latest revision as of 10:22, 27 February 2024
Choe Kang-wook | |
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최강욱 | |
![]() | |
President of the Open Democratic Party | |
In office 12 May 2020 – 18 January 2022 Acting: 19 April 2020 - 12 May 2020 | |
Preceded by | Lee Keun-shik |
Succeeded by | Position abolished |
Member of the National Assembly | |
In office 30 May 2020 – 18 September 2023 | |
Constituency | Proportional |
Secretary to the President for Public Office Discipline | |
In office 7 September 2018 – 16 March 2020 | |
President | Moon Jae-in |
Preceded by | Kim Jong-ho |
Succeeded by | Lee Nam-koo |
Personal details | |
Born | Namwon, North Jeolla, South Korea | 24 March 1968
Citizenship | South Korean |
Political party | Democratic Party (suspended) |
Other political affiliations | ODP (2020-2022) |
Children | 4 |
Relatives | Choi Myung-hee (aunt) Chung Nam-ki (relative) |
Alma mater | Seoul National University |
Occupation | Lawyer, politician |
Criminal charges | Obstruction of business |
Criminal penalty | 8 month sentence |
Korean name | |
Hangul | 최강욱 |
Hanja | |
Revised Romanization | Choe Ganguk |
McCune–Reischauer | Ch'oe Kanguk |
Choe Kang-wook (Korean: 최강욱; born 24 March 1968) is a South Korean lawyer and politician who was the former President of the Open Democratic Party (ODP) from 2020 to 2022. He served as the Secretary to the President for Public Office Discipline from September 2018 to March 2020. In the 2020 election, he was elected as a Member of the National Assembly. In September 2023, the Supreme Court of Korea removed him from office as a member of the National Assembly after it upheld his sentence of a suspended eight month prison term for his involvement in forging a fake internship certificate for the son of the Justice Minister Cho Kuk.
Early life and education
[edit]Choe was born in Namwon, North Jeolla[1] in 1968[2] but was grown in Boseong and Yeosu in South Jeolla.[3] He attended Jeolla High School in Jeonju and studied law at Seoul National University.[1][4][3][2] His aunt, Choi Myung-hee, is a novelist known for Honbul.[1][3] He is also a nephew-in-law to Chung Nam-ki, the former CEO of the Korea Press Foundation.[3] His father is still living in Namwon.[2]
Career
[edit]Military judicial officer
[edit]He was qualified for the bar for military judicial officer in 1994.[1][4][3][2] Prior to be transferred to major in 2005, he was the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) of the 3rd Cops, Chief Prosecutor of the Prosecutors Office Ministry of National Defence and the Deputy Chief of the High Public Prosecutor's Office.[1][4][3][2]
He took a prominent role in 2004 when he led an investigation against corruption scandals within the military.[4][3][2] In January, he arrested and charged the then Deputy Commander of R.O.K.-U.S. Combined Forces Command Shin Il-soon for being alleged to embezzle the troop budget and public funds.[4][3][2] The investigation was also brought to a bribery occurred at a promotion to general, in which led the then Chief of Army Staff Nam Jae-jun to resign in November.[4][3][2] His resignation was, however, rejected by the then President Roh Moo-hyun.[5]
Lawyer
[edit]After being discharged in 2005, Choe worked as a lawyer, mainly focusing human rights issues within the military.[1][4][3] He co-founded the Cheongmaek law firm.[6] He was an ombudsman at the Defence Acquisition Programme Administration, an expert member in human rights education at the National Human Rights Commission and a member of the Special Committee on Ethics of the National Assembly.[1][3] In 2008, he filed a constitutional appeal for an issue of "seditious books" by the Ministry of National Defence.[7]
He used to be a member of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society following the recommendation of Lee Jung-hee.[2] He was also in charge for a trial related to civilian inspection of Lee Myung-bak's government.[4]
Foundation for Broadcast Culture
[edit]Choe became a member of board of directors (BoD) of the Foundation for Broadcast Culture from August 2012 to 2018.[1][4][3][2] In 2012, he and other 2 BoD members — Seon Dong-kyu and Kwon Mi-hyuk, criticised that the dismissal proposal against the CEO of MBC, Kim Jae-chul, was failed due to governmental pressure.[8]
Secretary to the President for Public Office Discipline
[edit]On 5 September 2018, Choe was appointed the Secretary to the President for Public Office Discipline, replacing Kim Jong-ho who was moved to the Secretary-General of the Board of Audit and Inspection.[1][4][3][2]
Member of the National Assembly
[edit]He resigned on 16 March 2020. However, sources reported that he would run for the upcoming general election as a proportional representation as the date was the deadline for any civil servants to resign in order to run for the election.[9][10] At the beginning he denied it,[11] but 2 days later he was reported he had already registered as a pre-candidate of the Open Democratic Party (ODP).[12] He was selected 2nd in the ODP list[13] and was elected.[14]
On 19 April, Choe was appointed the interim President of the ODP following the resignation of the incumbent Lee Keun-shik due to the poor performance in the election.[15] Being the sole candidate running for the party's presidency,[16] he was elected the ODP President on 12 May with the support of 99.6%.[17]
On 26 December 2021, both the Democratic Party and the ODP agreed to merge each other, under the name of the "Democratic Party of Korea".[18] The ODP was later merged into the Democratic Party on 18 January 2022.[19][20] As a part of the agreement, Choe became one of the vice presidents of the Democratic Party.[20]
Cho Won Fake Internship Certificate Scandal
[edit]In 2017, Choe helped to write a fake internship certificate for the former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk's son, Cho Won. The internship certificate stated that from January 2017 until October 2017, Cho Won had worked a total of sixteen hours, coming to work 2 days a week.[21] The internship certificate helped Cho Won apply and be admitted into the Yonsei University Graduate School, and receive a master's degree in political science.[22] Choe denied it, insisting that the ex-Justice Minister's son had really completed his internship course and therefore the certificate was genuine.[23] He also added that the prosecution threatened him to attend, otherwise they would reveal his real name in public.[23] However, Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that while he was a lawyer, he once represented Cho Kuk's wife Chung Kyung-shim during a case of property succession.[24] Before that, according to JoongAng Ilbo, he was in charge of personnel verification of Cho Kuk during the time of his appointment.[25]
On 7 January 2020, the Liberty Korea Party filed a lawsuit against Choe for obstruction and breaching the Anti-graft Law.[26] 16 days later, he was charged by the prosecution.[27] On 22 April, he was again sued by a civic organisation for bribery.[28]
On 28 January 2021, Choe was sentenced to a suspended 8 month prison sentence with a stay of execution for 2 years for the crime of obstruction of business by the Seoul Central District Court.[29][30] The judge, Jeong Jong-geon, stated according to the claims of the fake internship certificate, Cho Won would have worked an average of twelve minutes for every time he visited the office. He also stated that the employees at the law firm had never seen Cho Won working regularly as an intern.[21] On 18 September 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the Seoul Central District Court's verdict.[22]
On 18 September 2023, he was removed from office as a member of the National Assembly in accordance with the Public Official Election Act and the National Assembly Act, due to receiving a prison sentence for his involvement in Cho Won's fake internship certificate.[31][22]
Suspension from Democratic Party
[edit]During a book publishing event on November 19, 2023, Choe made a sexist comment, referring to the South Korean First Lady Kim Keon-hee as an amkeot (Korean: 암컷; lit. female animal). He was criticized by both members of the ruling People Power Party and his own party, the Democratic Party. The Korean National Council of Women called on Choe to apologize for his derogatory remarks.[32] On November 22, the Democratic Party suspended Choe Kang-wook's party membership for six months in response.[33]
Controversies
[edit]Channel A broadcaster transcript
[edit]On 3 April 2020, Choe revealed a recorded transcript of Lee Dong-jae, a broadcaster of Channel A, on his Facebook.[34][35]
Dear Mr Lee, it's ok if it's not true.
Just tell people you gave money to Rhyu Si-min if you wanna survive. That's all...[34][35]
On 10 April, the full recorded transcript was revealed.[36] Nevertheless, 3 days later, Lee Bo-kyung, a worker of MBC, posted on her Facebook that the transcript disclosed by Choe was not true.[37][38]
Election results
[edit]General elections
[edit]Year | Constituency | Political party | Votes (%) | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | PR (2nd) | Open Democratic | 1,512,763 (5.42%) | Elected |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i "최강욱 신임 청와대 공직기강비서관이 군검찰에 '레전드'로 남은 이유". 6 September 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "최강욱 변호사, 공직기강비서관 내정". 15 November 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "최강욱 변호사, 청와대 공직기강비서관에 발탁". 5 September 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "[프로필] 최강욱 청와대 민정수석실 공직기강비서관". 5 September 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "남재준 육군참모총장 진급비리 관련 사의표명, 대통령 반려[금기종]". 25 November 2004. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "남성원.최강욱 변호사 개업 및 법무법인 청맥 설립인사". www.lawtimes.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ "'국방부 불온서적' 헌법소원 제기한 변호사 최강욱". 1 December 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ ""권력 외압으로 김재철 사장 해임안 부결"". 8 November 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ^ "사퇴 기한 딱 맞춘 최강욱, 4·15 총선 출마하나". 16 March 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "버티던 최강욱 靑비서관, 사의…비례대표 출마설(종합)". 16 March 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "최강욱 靑비서관, 주변에 "총선 비례대표 출마 안 한다"". 16 March 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "최강욱이 열린민주당 비례대표 공천을 신청했다". 18 March 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "열린민주당 비례 1번 김진애·2번 최강욱·4번김의겸…"공식 발표는 연기"". 24 March 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ^ "당선 소감 밝히는 최강욱". 16 April 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ^ "열린민주, 이근식·정봉주 사임…최강욱 비대위 체제". 19 April 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ^ "열린민주당 대표 후보, 최강욱 당선인 '단독' 출마". 6 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ^ "열린민주당 첫 당대표에 최강욱 당선자 선출". 12 May 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "민주·열린민주당, '더불어민주당' 당명 통합에 합의". 26 December 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ "민주당·열린민주당, 오늘 합당 최종 선언". 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ a b "더불어민주당·열린민주당, 합당 절차 마무리…"중단없는 개혁"". 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ a b Ser, Myo-ja (28 January 2021). "Rep. Choe convicted for giving false documents to former minister's son". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ a b c Jang-jin, Hwang (18 September 2023). "Opposition lawmaker loses seat as top court upholds sentence over academic fraud". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ a b "[단독] 최강욱 '조국 아들 인턴 확인서는 진본' 반박…"검찰, 소환 불응땐 공소장에 실명 명시 협박"". 7 January 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "[단독]조국 아들 '가짜 인턴' 발급 최강욱, 과거 정경심 변호했다". 3 January 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "이번엔 검증 품앗이? 허위확인서 발급한 최강욱이 조국 검증". 1 January 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "한국당 "최강욱, 조국 아들 인턴증명서 허위 발급으로 고발"". 7 January 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "'조국 아들 허위 인턴 의혹' 최강욱 기소…윤석열 직접 지시". 23 January 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "'조국 아들 허위 인턴증명서' 최강욱, 뇌물공여 혐의로 또 고발당해". 22 April 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "'조국 아들 허위 인턴확인서' 최강욱 1심 유죄…의원직 상실형". 28 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "'조국아들 인턴확인서 허위발급' 최강욱 의원직 상실형(종합)". 28 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "DP Rep.'s Sentence Upheld for False Internship Cert. for Cho Kuk's Son". KBS World. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ "한국여성단체협 "암컷 막말 최강욱, 사과하라"…재발방지 약속도 요구". The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). 21 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Jae-eun, Kang (22 November 2023). "DP imposes 6-month membership suspension on ex-lawmaker for using inappropriate language". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Choe Kang-wook on Facebook". 3 April 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ a b "최강욱, 채널A 기자 "사실 아니라도 좋다" 발언 공개". 3 April 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ ""컨트롤 해줄거죠?" "자리 깔수있죠" 채널A 기자·제보자X 녹취록[전문]". 10 April 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Lee Bo-kyung on Facebook". 13 April 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "MBC간부 "최강욱이 올린 채널 A 녹취록 요지 거짓"". 15 April 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.