[2020 National Audit] Opposition: "Isn't This a Code Verdict for Cho Kuk's Brother?" Criticism

Yoo Sang-beom, Member of the People Power Party [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] On the 20th, Yoo Sang-beom, a member of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the People Power Party, criticized the Seoul High Court, Suwon High Court, and their subordinate courts’ national prosecutors for the trial results of Cho Gwon, the younger brother of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, questioning whether it was a 'code judgment.'

On the same day, Rep. Yoo pointed out, "Two individuals who received bribes from teacher recruitment applicants and delivered money to Cho Gwon, the younger brother of former Minister Cho, were found guilty of breach of trust in the appellate court, but Cho himself was acquitted of breach of trust." He added, "The accomplices who simply delivered the money were found guilty, while the principal party was acquitted, which is a verdict based on mere formal logic," and "In a situation where there are suspicions of a code judgment, the court’s ruling inevitably faces more criticism."

Min Jung-gi, Chief Judge of the Seoul Central District Court, responded, "It seems inappropriate for the court chief to comment on the fact-finding and trial results of the relevant trial panel, as it could be seen as interference in the trial." Judge Min also said, "I understand that the breach of trust parties were specifically examined as key issues in the case of defendant Cho Gwon," and added, "Since the appellate trial is ongoing, I hope the related issues will be fully resolved."

Cho was sentenced to one year in prison and detained in court after being found guilty in the first trial of obstruction of business for receiving a total of about 180 million won from two applicants and passing on exam questions and answers during the recruitment process for a social studies teacher at Ungdong Middle School. At that time, the first trial court recognized only obstruction of business as Cho was not in charge of recruitment duties, and acquitted him of breach of trust. This contradicted the fact that Park and others who delivered the money were all found guilty of breach of trust in the first and second trials. The prosecution appealed the verdict.