Choi Kyu-sik

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Choi Kyu-sik
최규식
Member of the National Assembly
In office 30 May 2004 – 29 May 2012
Constituency	Gangbuk B
Ambassador of South Korea to Hungary
In office January 2018 – 13 December 2020
Personal details
Born	(1953-11-17) November 17, 1953 Buan County, North Jeolla Province, South Korea
Political party	Democratic Party
Education	Seoul National University
Website	Blog

Choi Kyu-sik (Hangul: 최규식; born 17 November 1953) is a South Korean journalist, politician, and diplomat. He served as a member of the National Assembly from 2004 to 2012, representing Gangbuk B in Seoul. He was appointed South Korean ambassador to Hungary in 2018 under the administration of President Moon Jae-in.

Early life and education

Choi was born in Buan County, North Jeolla Province, South Korea.

He graduated from Jeonju Elementary School in 1966, Jeonju Buk Middle School in 1969, and Jeonju High School in 1972. He earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Seoul National University in 1977 and completed coursework for a master's degree in political science at the university's graduate school in 1979.

Career

Journalism

Choi joined the Hankook Ilbo in 1978. During his journalism career, he worked as a reporter in the newspaper's social affairs, international, and political departments. He also covered the Blue House and held several editorial positions, including deputy political editor, international editor, special investigations editor, political editor, deputy editor-in-chief, head of the newspaper's Institute for Unification Studies, editor-in-chief, and editorial writer.

He left the Hankook Ilbo in April 2003. In May of that year, he became a special adviser on media, culture, and administration to the Millennium Democratic Party.

Political career

Choi was elected to the 17th National Assembly of South Korea in the 2004 South Korean legislative election, representing Gangbuk B in Seoul as a member of the Uri Party. He served from May 2004 to May 2008.

During his first term, he served as secretary of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Local Government Committee from July 2004 to May 2008. He also served as a media adviser to Uri Party chairman Chung Dong-young and as chief of the chairman's secretariat. During Chung's campaign in the 2007 South Korean presidential election, Choi served as head of the campaign's general situation headquarters and as chair of its Seoul campaign committee.

Choi was re-elected in the 2008 South Korean legislative election, representing the same constituency as a member of the Democratic Party. He served in the 18th National Assembly of South Korea from May 2008 to May 2012 and was a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee. He also served as chairman of the Seoul chapter of the Democratic Party and president of the Korea Aerobic Gymnastics Federation.

Diplomatic career

In January 2018, Choi was appointed South Korean ambassador to Hungary under President Moon Jae-in. He served in the position until 13 December 2020.

Legal matters

Political funding case

In January 2011, Choi was indicted without detention on charges of violating the Political Funds Act by allegedly receiving illegal political donations from the National Association of Korean Police Box Officers' Friendship (청목회, Cheongmokhoe), an association of police officers responsible for manning security posts. The donations were reportedly connected to proposed legislation to improve the working conditions of these officers. A lower court sentenced him to a fine of ₩5 million (US$) and ordered the forfeiture of ₩50 million (US$).

On 7 November 2013, the Seoul High Court overturned the lower court's sentence and suspended the pronouncement of his sentence. The court cited the fact that the donations had been deposited into an official donation account, properly accounted for, and reported to the National Election Commission. It also considered that Choi had no prior criminal record, had carried out his parliamentary duties conscientiously, and had chosen not to run in the 2012 legislative election, accepting responsibility for his imprudent conduct. The court further stated that he would likely have accepted the contributions through other means, such as small individual donations, had he known that the original arrangement violated the Political Funds Act.

Family

Choi has several siblings:

• Choi Gyu-bong, a lawyer.
• Choi Gyu-geun, a pharmacist.
• Choi Gyu-seop, a senior journalist at the Construction Economy Newspaper.
• Choi Myeong-ja, chair of the Seoul chapter of the Jeonju Girls' High School alumni association.

His brother-in-law is Bang Geuk-yun, a former president of the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service. His nephew is Bang Si-hyuk, chairman of Hybe.

Electoral history

Year	Election	Constituency	Party	Votes	Percentage	Result	Rank
2004	National Assembly	Gangbuk B, Seoul	Uri Party	36,206	42.46%	Elected	1st
2008	National Assembly	Gangbuk B, Seoul	United Democratic Party	26,391	43.50%	Elected	1st

External links

• Official blog

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