Originally Scheduled for the 29th, Postponed by About Two Weeks
District Court Personnel Changes Expected to Be a Variable on the 6th of Next Month
[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The court has decided to consolidate the cases involving former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk's 'family corruption allegations' and the 'investigation suspension allegations' for trial.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21 (Presiding Judge Kim Miri) announced on the 28th that the two cases will be consolidated for trial. Additionally, the first pretrial conference for the admission corruption case, originally scheduled for the 29th, has been postponed to the 12th of next month. Former Minister Cho Kuk was previously indicted on 11 charges including bribery, violation of the Public Official Ethics Act, and obstruction of business. On the 17th, the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office Criminal Division 6 (Chief Prosecutor Lee Jeongseop) additionally indicted Cho on charges of abuse of authority related to the alleged cover-up of the investigation into former Vice Mayor Yoo Jae-su. Both cases have been assigned to the Central District Court Criminal Division 21, raising expectations that the trials will be consolidated.
At the rescheduled first pretrial conference on the 12th of next month, the court plans to hear the prosecution's and defense's plans for evidence presentation and to narrow down the necessary evidence and witnesses. The defendant is not obligated to attend the pretrial conference, so it is expected that former Minister Cho will not appear in court. However, a variable is the scheduled announcement of the district court's regular personnel reshuffle on the 6th, prior to the conference. Presiding Judge Kim, who is in his second year this year, is reportedly a candidate for reassignment. If Judge Kim is transferred, there is a high possibility that the new presiding judge will take a recess to familiarize themselves with the case details, which could lead to another delay in the trial.
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