[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution and Professor Jeong Gyeong-sim of Dongyang University continued their legal battle over the location of the PC alleged to have been used to forge the Dongyang University certificate of commendation.
The Seoul High Court Criminal Division 1-2 (Presiding Judge Eom Sang-pil, Judges Shim Dam and Lee Seung-ryeon) held a continuation of the appeal trial on the 14th for Professor Jeong, who was indicted on charges including violation of the Capital Markets and Financial Investment Business Act.
The prosecution claims that in June 2013, Professor Jeong forged her daughter's certificate of commendation in the name of Choi Seong-hae, president of Dongyang University, using the PC at her residence in Bangbae-dong, Seoul. This charge was recognized as guilty in the first trial, but Professor Jeong denied it. In the appeal trial, her side argued that the PC showed traces of use at Dongyang University in May and August 2013, asserting that the PC was at Dongyang University even in June of the same year, the alleged time of forgery.
The prosecution presented evidence such as a recorded file supporting that Professor Jeong stayed in Seoul during that period and internet access logs from the PC showing the official IP address of the Bangbae-dong residence, stating, "It is clear that the PC was at the Bangbae-dong residence."
On the other hand, Professor Jeong's side argued that the use of the Bangbae-dong official IP could have been from another device's connection and that the recorded file does not confirm the PC's location.
During the trial, there was also a rebuttal from the defense regarding the charge that Professor Jeong obtained unfair profits by acquiring undisclosed information related to the secondary battery company WFM in advance.
Professor Jeong is accused of receiving information about the operation of the Gunsan factory from Cho Beom-dong, the fifth cousin of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, and purchasing 120,000 shares of WFM stock under her brother's name.
Meanwhile, the court decided to hear the prosecution's and defense's opinions on charges including evidence destruction, forgery, and concealment against Professor Jeong on the 28th and to conclude the trial on the 12th of next month.
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