Prosecutors to Review Professor Jeong Gyeong-sim's Sentence Suspension on the 4th of Next Month... Claims of 'Herniated Disc and Limb Paralysis'

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] The prosecution will decide next week whether to grant a suspension of sentence execution for former Dongyang University professor Jeong Gyeong-sim, who has reported health difficulties.

According to the legal community on the 30th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office will hold a Suspension of Sentence Execution Review Committee meeting at 2 p.m. on the 4th of next month to review the necessity of suspending the execution of Jeong's sentence. Previously, last month, the prosecution had once denied Jeong's application for suspension of sentence execution.

The review committee plans to thoroughly examine whether there are grounds for suspension by comprehensively reviewing the materials submitted by former Professor Jeong, the results of on-site investigations, and the opinions of medical advisory committee members.

The Criminal Procedure Act stipulates that the execution of a sentence may be suspended if there is a concern that the execution of imprisonment would significantly harm health.

Former Professor Jeong applied for suspension of sentence execution on the 1st of last month, stating that "urgent surgery is needed due to a herniated disc, stenosis, and paralysis of the lower limbs." However, the prosecution did not approve the request, stating that "it is not possible at this stage."

In response, former Professor Jeong reapplied for suspension of sentence execution on the 8th of this month. It is known that around June to July of this year, she fell inside the detention center, causing a herniated disc, and received medical recommendations for urgent surgery.

Former Professor Jeong is currently serving a four-year prison sentence confirmed by the Supreme Court in January for false credential allegations related to her daughter, Cho Min.

Additionally, she is on trial at the Seoul Central District Court along with her husband, former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, on charges including falsifying her son's school records and obtaining a false internship certificate.