Cho Kuk, Half a Year of 'Court's Time'... Standing Side by Side with Jeong Gyeongshim in the Defendant's Seat (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporters Seongpil Jo and Daehyun Kim] Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk appeared in court after half a year. Cho was first indicted in December 2019 on charges of admission fraud, and then additionally indicted in January of the following year on suspicion of covering up the investigation into former Busan Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs Yoo Jae-soo. He had been on trial until December last year, but after a six-month hiatus due to the spread of COVID-19, he once again faced the "court's time."

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who is accused of entrance exam fraud and covering up inspections, is attending a trial held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 11th. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Former Minister Cho and Wife Reunite in Court... Brief Conversation

At the afternoon trial held on the 11th under the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21-1 (Presiding Judge Seongyoung Ma), former Minister Cho appeared in court alongside his wife, Professor Jung Kyung-shim of Dongyang University. This was the first time the couple stood trial side by side as defendants. Previously, the two had faced each other in court when Cho appeared as a witness in Professor Jung’s first trial in a separate case in September last year.

Professor Jung, who was sentenced to prison and detained after the first trial, was transported from the detention center to the court by a prison transport vehicle, while former Minister Cho drove himself to the courtroom. Before the trial began, the couple exchanged greetings and had a brief conversation in the courtroom. Mostly, Cho initiated the conversation while Professor Jung listened. Their talk was cut short as the court session began about five minutes after Professor Jung’s arrival.

Prosecution Mentions "Time of Forgery"... Defense Objects

This trial was the first held after the regular court personnel changes in February and the replacement of all presiding judges due to the sick leave of former Judge Kim Miri. The prosecution presented the charges and confirmed the defendants’ opinions in a trial renewal procedure.

The prosecution explained the couple’s children’s admission fraud charges, pointing out that "false credentials were created during the 'time of forgery'." This was interpreted as a veiled criticism of the crime, referencing the title of Cho’s recently published book, "Cho Kuk’s Time." The defense objected, stating, "Today, the prosecutor again used terms like 'seven major frauds' and 'time of forgery,' and in other trials, phrases like 'dream of a Gangnam building' or 'inheritance of wealth' were used. At least in court, we hope that terms equivalent to the charges be used so that the trial proceeds calmly."

The defense for former Minister Cho and his wife denied all charges on this day. The defense said, "Cho Kuk and Professor Jung did not falsify or submit forged documents in the admission process for their children’s graduate school applications. The prosecution is unfairly trying to hold them accountable based on untrue facts."

Professor Jung Kyung-shim of Dongyang University, wife of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk / Photo by Jang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Cho Kuk Answers "University Professor" When Asked About Occupation by Judge

In the earlier morning session, the trial renewal procedure for the charge of covering up the investigation was conducted. Former Minister Cho stood in the defendant’s seat alongside former Blue House Secretary Baek Won-woo, who was also indicted on the same charge. They exchanged warm greetings before the trial and appeared relatively relaxed. When the judge asked about their occupations, Cho answered "university professor," and Baek replied "politician." They both stated they did not wish for a jury trial. Former Anti-Corruption Secretary Park Hyung-chul, also indicted on the same charge, was reported absent due to contact with a COVID-19 positive individual.

When the trial began, Prosecutor Lee Jeong-seop, who investigated and indicted Cho and Baek on the charge of covering up the investigation, directly presented the prosecution’s summary. Prosecutor Lee, currently handling the case of former Vice Minister Kim’s illegal travel ban, appeared in court to maintain the prosecution in Cho’s case. He stated, "The defendants abused their authority to halt the investigation into former Deputy Mayor Yoo, causing the Blue House’s special inspection team to perform ‘unnecessary tasks.’" Former Minister Cho shook his head and sighed deeply as Prosecutor Lee presented these charges.

Cho’s defense attorney countered, calling it a "scattergun prosecution." He criticized the prosecution for amending the indictment three times, saying, "The charges are structured as if ‘if not A, then B; if not B, then C,’ making it difficult to defend." He also pointed out, "The fact is that Yoo Jae-soo’s misconduct was detected and reported to relevant agencies for appropriate action, but the prosecution twisted this to argue that there was no investigation and that instructions were given to stop the investigation."

Before Court Appearance, SNS Post... Shares Beatles Song

Earlier, at around 9:34 a.m., former Minister Cho arrived at the Seoul Central District Court building in Seocho-dong, Seoul, dressed in a navy suit with a striped tie. When asked by reporters about his feelings on appearing in court after half a year, he said, "I will approach the trial with a more humble attitude" and "I will sincerely explain my case." This was a departure from his previous appearances, where he often criticized the prosecution.

Before appearing in court, Cho shared a YouTube link to The Beatles’ song "The Long And Winding Road" on his Facebook page. The song’s lyrics include phrases like "the long and winding road that leads to your door" and "still, the road to your door is long," which were interpreted as reflecting his feelings about returning to trial after six months.