Overturning Previous Decision and Admitting Evidence
Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who has been indicted on charges of entrance exam fraud and covering up an inspection, is attending a trial held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 2nd. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The court presiding over the trial concerning the allegations of admission fraud involving the children of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and his spouse has decided to admit the evidentiary value of the PC from the Dongyang University lecturer's lounge, which was secured through a prosecution search and seizure.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21-1 (Presiding Judges Ma Seong-yeong, Kim Jeong-gon, Jang Yong-beom) stated on the 30th during the continuation of the trial on the admission fraud charges against former Minister Cho and his spouse, "We accept the prosecutor's objection filed on January 11 and cancel the exclusion of evidence decision, thereby admitting the relevant evidence."
However, they added, "We may reconsider this when writing the verdict after the conclusion of the arguments," noting that "this is inevitably a provisional matter."
Last December, the court had decided not to admit the evidence obtained from the PC after the Supreme Court plenary session strictly interpreted the scope of search and seizure allowed for investigative agencies, leading to a dispute between the prosecution and former Minister Cho's side. Subsequently, the prosecution filed an objection against this decision.
However, due to a routine personnel change, one member of the court was replaced, and the newly formed court made this decision.
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