Kang Deuk-gu: "Is Joo Jin-woo, who likes alcohol, a person or an alien, despite having hepatitis?"

Joo Jin-woo, a member of the People's Power Party who was exempted from military service due to "acute hepatitis," is facing heightened controversy regarding the legitimacy of his exemption following unexpected claims that he enjoys drinking.

On the 25th, Kang Deuk-gu, a member of the Democratic Party, raised questions about Joo's exemption on his Facebook, stating, "Interestingly, it is widely known that Joo Jin-woo enjoys drinking."

Medically, for a hepatitis patient, continuing to consume alcohol can worsen liver damage and significantly increase the risk of progressing to cirrhosis or liver cancer, making abstinence essential.

In response, Kang pointed out that if Joo has been suffering from hepatitis since high school, received a grade 5 exemption after his military conscription physical examination, and is currently receiving treatment, then he should absolutely not come near alcohol, nor should he be able to do so.

This controversy arose earlier on the 24th during the confirmation hearing for Prime Minister candidate Kim Min-seok.

On that day, People's Power Party member Kwak Gyu-taek noted, "Neither President Lee Jae-myung nor candidate Kim Min-seok has served in the military," to which Democratic Party member Park Sun-won retorted, “Somebody (Joo) was exempted due to acute hepatitis, while candidate Kim fulfilled his military duty by serving three years in prison.”

In response, Joo asserted, "No matter how low the dignity of the National Assembly may fall, one should not mention another person's medical history like this. I expect an apology."

In this context, Kang referred to documents Joo publicly revealed during past elections and stated, "Initially, during the first military conscription examination, he was not an exemption candidate. However, after submitting a modification request for military treatment, he was re-evaluated and classified as grade 5 exempt due to hepatitis."

He then asked, "I ask Joo, is he suffering from acute hepatitis, or is it chronic hepatitis?" claiming, "There is no grade 5 exemption based on acute hepatitis. If it were acute hepatitis, it raises suspicions of military service fraud."

"Acute hepatitis does not receive a grade 5 exemption," he continued, "Acute hepatitis is a condition where inflammation resolves within six months, which does not qualify for military exemption. According to the military physical examination rules from 1995, acute hepatitis will receive a grade 7 reassessment if further observation is needed. In other words, it is not an exemption, and if the condition improves after treatment, one would be classified as fit for service."

Kang argued, "If it is chronic hepatitis, a grade 5 exemption is possible, but the suspicions remain unaddressed. The issue of military service touches on the sensitive nerve of public sentiment. Immediately release the records of the conscription physical examination and current treatment."

Image source: Joo Jin-woo of the People's Power Party / News1, Kang Deuk-gu of the Democratic Party / News1, Joo Jin-woo / News1