At the First Appeal Trial, Jeong Gyeong-shim's Side States "Choi Seong-hae Also Knew About the Existence of the Certificate"

Professor Jeong Gyeong-sim, Dongyang University. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] In the appeal trial related to the admission bribery involving her child, Professor Jeong Gyeong-sim of Dongyang University, who was sentenced to four years in prison in the first trial, claimed that former Dongyang University President Choi Seong-hae was also aware of the existence of the certificate of commendation received by her daughter. They also argued that the testimonies of Dongyang University employees in court were perjury.

The prosecution countered that Professor Jeong's side was maliciously trying to discredit the testimonies of several witnesses in court.

On the 12th, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 1-2 (Presiding Judge Eom Sang-pil, Judges Shim Dam and Lee Seung-ryeon) held the first appeal trial for Professor Jeong, who was indicted on charges including obstruction of business, fraud, and forgery and use of private documents. During the trial, additional evidence was examined and witnesses were questioned.

Professor Jeong appeared in court for the first time about four months after being sentenced to four years in prison, fined 500 million won, and ordered to pay 140 million won in fines on December 23 last year in the first trial. When the court asked if she had any opinions to express directly, she replied, "I will speak later through my lawyer."

Professor Jeong's side submitted new evidence, including audit materials from the Ministry of Education regarding Dongyang University and articles containing interviews with former President Choi.

Regarding the forgery charge of the Dongyang University certificate of commendation, Professor Jeong's side argued, "The requirement for 'forgery' is that the document's nominal issuer, President Choi Seong-hae, must be unaware of the document's existence. Since Professor Jeong, who obtained approval for the gifted education project from President Choi, did not inform him only about the certificate of commendation, there is no reason to forge it."

They also claimed that the internship program operated by Han Young Foreign Language High School is also conducted by other high schools, stating, "It is not unusual for parents to informally create internship opportunities among themselves."

Regarding the Dongyang University Language Education Center employee who testified that the in-school program, which was the basis for issuing the certificate of commendation to Professor Jeong's daughter, did not exist, they raised suspicions of perjury, saying, "The employee denies having sent related official documents to faculty members."

Professor Jeong's side also raised the possibility of evidence contamination, stating that a portable storage device (USB) was plugged in for about one minute during the voluntary submission process of the PC in the Dongyang University lecturer lounge where the forged certificate was found.

In response, the prosecution said, "This is a malicious attempt to discredit and politically inflate suspicions," adding, "There is nothing different from the first trial's claims, and the defendant still does not specify her concrete position."

The court also conducted witness questioning of Lee Sang-hoon, who was the nominal representative of the private equity fund management company Korink Private Equity (Korink PE).

The next appeal trial for Professor Jeong is scheduled for the 26th.