Jokuk Daughter's High School Classmate Changes Statement: "Jomin Attended the Seminar"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] A high school classmate of Cho Min, the daughter of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who gave conflicting court testimonies regarding her attendance at the 'Seoul National University Academic Conference' in May 2009, stated on her social media service (SNS) that "the female student in the video is indeed Cho Min."

Jang, a classmate from Han Young Foreign Language High School's study abroad class, wrote on SNS on the morning of the 25th, "I do not remember talking with Min during the seminar. However, I reiterate that Cho Min definitely attended the seminar on the death penalty."

Jang added, "Because I do not remember talking with Min, I have consistently said that Min did not come at all."

Jang was a participant in the Seoul National University-hosted seminar, which has been controversial regarding Cho's attendance, and appeared as a witness in Professor Jeong's first trial last year, testifying that Cho did not attend the seminar at that time.

However, on the 23rd, Jang appeared once again as a witness in the trial concerning the admission fraud involving former Minister Cho and his spouse, showing a markedly different attitude from the previous court testimony.

When asked by the prosecution whether Cho attended the seminar, Jang replied, "If (Cho) had come, I would have greeted her, but I have no such memory." Then, during questioning by the defense, hesitatingly said, "The woman in the seminar video capture is 99 percent Cho."

Jang, who had shown inconsistent behavior in court, clarified her position through an SNS post, stating, "The female student wearing glasses in the seminar video is indeed Cho Min."

In the post, Jang said, "Speculation based on my grudge obscured the truth," and "I sincerely apologize to Min and her family."

In response, former Minister Cho raised suspicions of unfair investigation on SNS, stating, "There is a three-and-a-half-hour gap in the investigation records after Jang's appearance before the prosecution, raising doubts about the prosecution's investigation of Jang," and the Citizens' Action for Judicial Justice submitted a petition to the Ministry of Justice requesting an inspection of the prosecutor who investigated Jang.

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye also stated on the 26th, "We plan to take measures according to the same standards, principles, and precedents as other inspection complaints."

Meanwhile, as the controversy spread on the same day, Jang posted an additional message saying, "There was absolutely no intimidation, threat, or coercion during my investigation," and "Please do not slander the prosecutors."