[Summary] Jeong Gyeong-sim '4 Years Imprisonment'... Ruling Party "Harsh" vs Opposition "Justice Served"

Jung Kyung-shim Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison and Fined 500 Million Won in First Trial for Admission Fraud Conviction

Jung Kyung-shim, a professor at Dongyang University and wife of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who has been indicted on charges including admission bribery for her children and suspicions of private equity fund investment, is attending the first trial sentencing hearing held on the afternoon of the 23rd at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The ruling and opposition parties showed mixed reactions on the 23rd to Professor Jeong Gyeongshim of Dongyang University being sentenced to prison in the first trial for charges related to her children's admission bribery and private equity fund investments. While the ruling party could not hide their embarrassment as Professor Jeong was taken into custody in court, the People Power Party evaluated it as 'justice has been served.'

Shin Youngdae, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, sent a text message to the press corps on the day, saying, "The court's ruling is too harsh and embarrassing," and added, "I hope the truth will be properly revealed in the remaining trial process."

Kim Namguk, a Democratic Party lawmaker and a contributor to the 'Cho Kuk White Paper,' also posted on his Facebook that day, saying, "My chest feels tight and I can't breathe," and "It seems there is nowhere in the world where one can freely shout out the truth." He continued, "Still, I will firmly walk the thorny path," and "I will walk together, getting rained on and pelted with stones."

Kim Yongmin, a fellow party member and former lawyer, also joined the criticism. Through his Facebook, he expressed regret, saying, "It seems only the public can see the problems with the prosecution's indictment," and "The court should control illegal investigations and indictments, but it seems to have abandoned that role today."

He added, "What Yoon Seok-yeol aimed for through judicial surveillance was exactly this," and insisted, "Yoon Seok-yeol and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's crimes must be punished."

Woo Sang-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker who declared his candidacy for Seoul mayor, also commented on the court's ruling, saying, "It seems like a judgment mixed with emotion. I feel anger beyond disappointment."

He continued, "I hope it will be corrected in the appeal trial, and I sincerely hope former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and Professor Jeong will stay strong. I will support and stand with them until the end."

On the other hand, the opposition party evaluated the sentencing and detention of Professor Jeong as "justice has been served."

Kim Yeryeong, spokesperson for the People Power Party, released a statement that day, saying, "The fact that the entire verdict was guilty regarding admission bribery clearly shows how seriously the judiciary judged the 'parental privilege' of the Cho Kuk family," but pointed out, "However, the not guilty verdict on the serious crime of private equity fund allegations is very regrettable."

Choi Hyungdu, the party's floor spokesperson, also emphasized, "Justice has been served and the rule of law has been restored," adding, "The time for truth and justice has begun." He further said, "The criminals who originally practiced 'Asitabi' (我是他非, meaning 'I am right, others are wrong') have been severely punished," and "It has been revealed who is pretending to be truthful and who is lying."

Ha Tae-kyung, a People Power Party lawmaker, claimed, "Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol was right." On his Facebook, he criticized, "In the end, Yoon Seok-yeol was right. When the investigation into the Cho Kuk family began, President Moon Jae-in and the ruling party fiercely criticized it, saying 'the prosecution is conducting an excessive investigation over nothing,'" and "The campaign to 'oust Yoon Seok-yeol' started under the pretext of an unfair investigation against the innocent Cho Kuk."

He continued, "Afterwards, prosecutorial reform shook the entire country for a year and a half, and Yoon received a two-month suspension as a disciplinary action. However, with this ruling recognizing the crimes of the Cho Kuk family, it has been proven that the 'oust Yoon Seok-yeol' campaign had no legitimacy," he emphasized.

Earlier, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25-2 (Presiding Judges Im Jeongyeop, Kwon Seongsu, Kim Seonhee) sentenced Professor Jeong, who was indicted on charges including obstruction of business, to four years in prison and a fine of 500 million won, and ordered her immediate detention in court. They also ordered a confiscation of approximately 138 million won.

Regarding the admission bribery charges, the court recognized all of Professor Jeong's charges, while partially acquitting her of some charges related to private equity fund allegations and evidence tampering.