The Blade of Joguk, Today Also Directed at the Prosecution

Attendance at the 5th Trial on Allegations of Investigation Suppression
"If Resignation Measures Are Criminal...
How Should We View Internal Corruption in the Prosecution?"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who was indicted on charges of ordering the cover-up of the inspection of Yoo Jae-su, former Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs of Busan, is attending a trial held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 14th. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who was indicted on charges including the cover-up of the inspection of Yoo Jae-soo, former Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs of Busan, strongly denied the allegations on the 14th, claiming that the prosecution's investigation against him had a 'purpose.' On the morning of the same day, Cho appeared at his fifth trial held at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21 (Presiding Judge Kim Miri) and said, "At the last trial, the prosecution suddenly claimed that they did not investigate with a purpose, but I want to ask the prosecution a few questions."

Cho said, "Did the prosecution investigate this case to tie me, the former Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, to a power-type corruption criminal and implicate other members of the Civil Affairs Office as accomplices?" He questioned, "Did the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office communicate with each other and hold several joint meetings throughout the investigation, indictment, and detention warrant request processes of this case?" He continued, "A former inspection team member, who was the subject of an inspection investigation for personal corruption, suddenly reversed their testimony. Was there any silent pressure during this process?" and "Was there no pressure during the investigation of financial sector officials who have disciplinary authority?" expressing criticism. Cho also questioned, "If the action to accept my resignation because I could no longer proceed with a lawful inspection of a subject who refused inspection is a criminal offense, how should we understand the prosecution's leniency toward internal corruption?"

Cho's remarks on this day were interpreted as targeting Lee Jeong-seop, head of the Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, who led the investigation into Cho's alleged inspection cover-up. Lee stated at the fourth trial of this case on the 3rd of last month, "The investigation was not conducted with the intention of criminally punishing a specific defendant."

When asked about his opinion on the approval of the indictment amendment at the trial of his wife, Professor Jeong Gyeong-shim of Dongyang University, held the day before, Cho replied, "I said it yesterday," and did not provide any further comments. At the continuation trial of Professor Jeong held at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25-2 (Presiding Judge Im Jeong-yeop) the previous day, the prosecution requested an amendment to the indictment stating that "Former Minister Cho Kuk directly forged his daughter's internship certificate," which the court accepted. Cho refuted this through his Facebook, stating, "I firmly deny this amended indictment that makes me a person who forged documents without authorization."