Choe Kang-wook
최강욱
President of the Open Democratic Party
In office
12 May 2020 – 18 January 2022
Acting: 19 April 2020 - 12 May 2020
Preceded byLee Keun-shik
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Member of the National Assembly
In office
30 May 2020 – 18 September 2023
ConstituencyProportional
Secretary to the President for Public Office Discipline
In office
7 September 2018 – 16 March 2020
PresidentMoon Jae-in
Preceded byKim Jong-ho
Succeeded byLee Nam-koo
Personal details
Born (1968-03-24) 24 March 1968
Namwon, North Jeolla, South Korea
CitizenshipSouth Korean
Political partyDemocratic Party (suspended)
Other political
affiliations		ODP (2020-2022)
Children4
RelativesChoi Myung-hee (aunt)
Chung Nam-ki (relative)
Alma materSeoul National University
OccupationLawyer, politician
Criminal chargesObstruction of business
Criminal penalty8 month sentence
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationChoe Gang-uk
McCune–ReischauerCh'oe Kang-uk

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

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

Military judicial officer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Channel A broadcaster transcript

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

General elections

YearConstituencyPolitical partyVotes (%)Remarks
2020PR (2nd)Open Democratic1,512,763 (5.42%)Elected

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "최강욱 신임 청와대 공직기강비서관이 군검찰에 '레전드'로 남은 이유". 6 September 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "최강욱 변호사, 공직기강비서관 내정". 15 November 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "최강욱 변호사, 청와대 공직기강비서관에 발탁". 5 September 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "[프로필] 최강욱 청와대 민정수석실 공직기강비서관". 5 September 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  5. ↑ "남재준 육군참모총장 진급비리 관련 사의표명, 대통령 반려[금기종]". 25 November 2004. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  6. ↑ "남성원.최강욱 변호사 개업 및 법무법인 청맥 설립인사". www.lawtimes.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  7. ↑ "'국방부 불온서적' 헌법소원 제기한 변호사 최강욱". 1 December 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  8. ↑ ""권력 외압으로 김재철 사장 해임안 부결"". 8 November 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  9. ↑ "사퇴 기한 딱 맞춘 최강욱, 4·15 총선 출마하나". 16 March 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  10. ↑ "버티던 최강욱 靑비서관, 사의…비례대표 출마설(종합)". 16 March 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  11. ↑ "최강욱 靑비서관, 주변에 "총선 비례대표 출마 안 한다"". 16 March 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  12. ↑ "최강욱이 열린민주당 비례대표 공천을 신청했다". 18 March 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  13. ↑ "열린민주당 비례 1번 김진애·2번 최강욱·4번김의겸…"공식 발표는 연기"". 24 March 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  14. ↑ "당선 소감 밝히는 최강욱". 16 April 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  15. ↑ "열린민주, 이근식·정봉주 사임…최강욱 비대위 체제". 19 April 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  16. ↑ "열린민주당 대표 후보, 최강욱 당선인 '단독' 출마". 6 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  17. ↑ "열린민주당 첫 당대표에 최강욱 당선자 선출". 12 May 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  18. ↑ "민주·열린민주당, '더불어민주당' 당명 통합에 합의". 26 December 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  19. ↑ "민주당·열린민주당, 오늘 합당 최종 선언". 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  20. 1 2 "더불어민주당·열린민주당, 합당 절차 마무리…"중단없는 개혁"". 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  21. 1 2 Ser, Myo-ja (28 January 2021). "Rep. Choe convicted for giving false documents to former minister's son". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  22. 1 2 3 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.
  23. 1 2 "[단독] 최강욱 '조국 아들 인턴 확인서는 진본' 반박…"검찰, 소환 불응땐 공소장에 실명 명시 협박"". 7 January 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  24. ↑ "[단독]조국 아들 '가짜 인턴' 발급 최강욱, 과거 정경심 변호했다". 3 January 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  25. ↑ "이번엔 검증 품앗이? 허위확인서 발급한 최강욱이 조국 검증". 1 January 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  26. ↑ "한국당 "최강욱, 조국 아들 인턴증명서 허위 발급으로 고발"". 7 January 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  27. ↑ "'조국 아들 허위 인턴 의혹' 최강욱 기소…윤석열 직접 지시". 23 January 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  28. ↑ "'조국 아들 허위 인턴증명서' 최강욱, 뇌물공여 혐의로 또 고발당해". 22 April 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  29. ↑ "'조국 아들 허위 인턴확인서' 최강욱 1심 유죄…의원직 상실형". 28 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  30. ↑ "'조국아들 인턴확인서 허위발급' 최강욱 의원직 상실형(종합)". 28 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  31. ↑ "DP Rep.'s Sentence Upheld for False Internship Cert. for Cho Kuk's Son". KBS World. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  32. ↑ "한국여성단체협 "암컷 막말 최강욱, 사과하라"…재발방지 약속도 요구". Donga Ilbo (in Korean). 21 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  33. ↑ 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.
  34. 1 2 "Choe Kang-wook on Facebook". 3 April 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  35. 1 2 "최강욱, 채널A 기자 "사실 아니라도 좋다" 발언 공개". 3 April 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  36. ↑ ""컨트롤 해줄거죠?" "자리 깔수있죠" 채널A 기자·제보자X 녹취록[전문]". 10 April 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  37. ↑ "Lee Bo-kyung on Facebook". 13 April 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  38. ↑ "MBC간부 "최강욱이 올린 채널 A 녹취록 요지 거짓"". 15 April 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
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