Court to Conclude Jeong Gyeongshim Trial on November 5... Leaves Trial Early Again Due to Health Reasons

Professor Jung Kyung-shim of Dongyang University, who is accused of admission fraud involving her children and charges related to private equity funds, is attending a trial held on the 24th at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The sentencing hearing for Professor Jung Kyung-shim, spouse of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who is on trial for allegations including admission fraud and private equity fund-related suspicions, has been scheduled for November 5.

The Criminal Division 25-2 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judges Lim Jeong-yeop, Kwon Seong-su, Kim Seon-hee) announced on the 24th during the continuation hearing for Professor Jung, "We plan to conclude the trial on November 5 by hearing the prosecution's sentencing recommendation and the defendant's final statement."

In response to Professor Jung's request to postpone the trial due to surgery, the court decided not to proceed with the scheduled hearing on the 8th of next month. Instead, evidentiary investigations will be conducted on the 15th and 29th of next month, followed by the sentencing hearing on November 5.

With the trial procedure expected to conclude about 1 year and 2 months after the prosecution's indictment last September, a first trial verdict is anticipated as early as this year.

The prosecution indicted Professor Jung three times in September, November, and December of last year, and the three cases have been consolidated and are being tried together in court.

Professor Jung is accused of forging or falsely issuing documents, including a certificate of commendation in the name of the president of Dongyang University from 2013 to 2014, and submitting them to Seoul National University and Pusan National University medical graduate school admissions, thereby obstructing the admission screening process of each university.

She is also charged with investing under a borrowed name through the private equity firm Kolink Private Equity (PE) to evade public official ethics regulations that prohibit direct investment after former Minister Cho Kuk was appointed Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Blue House. Additionally, she faces charges of embezzling approximately 150 million won by signing a false consulting contract with Kolink PE.

Meanwhile, Professor Jung, who appeared in court that day, complained of health issues and requested the court through her attorney to proceed with the trial in her absence.

After being granted permission to leave the courtroom, Professor Jung left with the support of her lawyers, and the trial continued without her presence.

On the 17th, during the trial, Professor Jung complained of health problems and collapsed on the floor while leaving the courtroom with the court's permission, after which she was taken away by ambulance.

Although she applied for a change of trial date before the hearing that day, the court rejected the request, stating, "It does not appear that she is unable to attend the trial."

The court also emphasized that defendant Professor Cho must attend future trial dates.