[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The legal team of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk has refuted the prosecution's indictment on charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights regarding the 'Yoo Jae-soo inspection cover-up suspicion,' stating that the prosecution's allegations "do not correspond to the facts."
On the 21st, former Minister Cho posted a statement on his Facebook page under the name of his legal representative, lawyer Kim Chil-jun. In this statement, Lawyer Kim said, "The prosecution's allegations do not correspond to the facts, and legally, they do not constitute the crime of abuse of authority," emphasizing, "The core of the case is that former Minister Cho, during his time as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, infringed on the authority of a subordinate special inspection team member. If such authority is not recognized, the entire investigation is a house of cards, yet the investigation proceeded under a mistaken premise."
Lawyer Kim explained the circumstances under which the special inspection team’s investigation, which lacked compulsory investigative authority, was halted, stating, "The corruption of former Busan Deputy Mayor Yoo Jae-soo, confirmed through the inspection, involved golf clubs, golf hotels, and the use of a vehicle with a driver. Among these corrupt acts, former Deputy Mayor Yoo only admitted to the provision of the vehicle and strongly denied the rest as having any quid pro quo," adding, "He later refused to cooperate with the inspection and went into hiding."
Lawyer Kim also said, "At that time, Baek Won-woo, the Secretary for Civil Affairs, received a contact requesting to hear the circumstances of former Deputy Mayor Yoo, who claimed to be wronged, checked the situation, and then reported it to Cho Kuk, the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs. This was part of the Secretary for Civil Affairs’ 'duties,'" and added, "Even after receiving the report from Secretary Baek, Senior Secretary Cho instructed Anti-Corruption Secretary Park Hyung-chul to continue the inspection."
He continued, "Former Minister Cho judged that it was difficult for former Deputy Mayor Yoo to maintain his position and decided to instruct the Financial Services Commission to be informed of Yoo’s corrupt acts and the need for corresponding measures," adding, "This was one of several opinions received and was within the discretionary judgment of the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, with no opposition from Secretary Park."
Finally, Lawyer Kim expressed regret, stating, "At that time, Senior Secretary Cho Kuk never directly received a request from an outsider, nor was he involved in any way with former Deputy Mayor Yoo’s resignation or subsequent status, yet incorrect reports continue," and declared, "We will reveal one by one in the upcoming trial that the prosecution’s indictment is fictitious."
Earlier, on the 17th, the Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office indicted former Minister Cho without detention on charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights. The prosecution explained the background of the indictment, stating, "Former Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Cho Kuk confirmed serious misconduct allegations during the special inspection team’s investigation of former Deputy Mayor Yoo but illegally ordered the suspension of the inspection and failed to take proper follow-up measures," and added, "It is recognized that he obstructed the inspection activities of the special inspection team members and infringed on the inspection and personnel authority of Financial Services Commission officials."
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