Former Minister Cho Kuk Attends Trial... Supporters Clean 'Cho Kuk Car'

Jokuk "'Gobal Saju' Allegations, Signs of National Discipline Disruption Emerge One After Another"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who was indicted on charges including allegations of covering up an inspection and admission fraud involving his children, appeared at the continuation of the first trial held on the 10th at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Supporters are cleaning former Minister Cho's vehicle. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 10th, former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk attended a trial related to allegations of his children's admission fraud and bribery at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where supporters of Cho Kuk were seen directly cleaning his vehicle, drawing public attention.

On that day, Cho Kuk appeared at the 17th trial session held by the Criminal Division 21-1 (Presiding Judges Ma Seongyoung, Kim Sangyeon, Jang Yongbeom) of the Seoul Central District Court, regarding charges including obstruction of business against him and his wife, Professor Jung Kyungshim.

Appearing before the press, Cho Kuk opened by saying, "Although it is belated, circumstances are increasingly revealing that the political prosecution under Yoon Seokyeol and the Future United Party, the predecessor of the People Power Party, colluded in an act of election interference, a national disgrace."

He continued, "I also think it is necessary to review the complaints filed against Moon Jaein government officials, including myself," adding, "I will approach the trial with a more humble attitude."

Meanwhile, supporters of former Minister Cho Kuk were seen directly cleaning his vehicle. Four to five women wearing masks took out wet wipes and began wiping every corner of the car while Cho Kuk's trial was in progress. They cleaned the front of the vehicle and the car wheels.

Previously, on May 8, when Cho Kuk first appeared in the Seoul Central District Court, his supporters also wiped the vehicle he arrived in with wet wipes. A video capturing this scene spread widely on social networking services (SNS) and YouTube.

At the scene, one supporter said, "No dust has settled in (Cho Kuk's) heart. The dust was put on by the prosecution. The people are wiping it off," adding, "If the prosecution tries to put dust on Cho Kuk again, we will pour sewage water on it."

Meanwhile, Cho Kuk is undergoing a first trial for charges including the cover-up of the inspection of former Busan Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs Yoo Jae-su and involvement in his children's admission fraud.