[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The lottery for the first trial attendance tickets of Jeong Gyeongshim, a professor at Dongyang University and spouse of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, ended with a competition rate of 1.7 to 1. Earlier, the Supreme Court recommended nationwide courts to recess to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), but the trial panel handling Professor Jeong's case has no plans to postpone yet.
On the 22nd, the Seoul Central District Court announced that a total of 34 people applied for the lottery of attendance tickets for Professor Jeong's sentencing trial held at 2 p.m. in the Cheongsim Hall on the first floor of the courthouse.
Considering that 20 seats were allocated to the general public excluding parties related to the case and the press, the competition rate for attendance tickets was about 1.7 to 1. This is slightly lower compared to the 38 applicants during the previous month's closing arguments trial.
Reflecting the COVID-19 spread situation, the court decided to allocate 7 seats in the main courtroom and 6 and 7 seats respectively in two relay courtrooms. Winners can receive their attendance tickets at the courthouse west wing exit starting from 1:30 p.m. on the sentencing day, the 23rd, and then enter. Previously, the court stated that "we aim to provide equal opportunities for the general public to attend trials on cases of high social interest" and thus hold the lottery for attendance tickets.
Meanwhile, Professor Jeong has been prosecuted and tried on a total of 15 charges including admission bribery related to her children and crimes related to private equity funds.
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