[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Jeong Gyeong-sim, former professor at Dongyang University who was serving a prison sentence on charges including admission fraud involving her child, will be temporarily released for one month to undergo surgery for a herniated disc.
On the afternoon of the 4th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office held a hearing of the Execution Suspension Review Committee and decided to suspend Jeong's sentence execution for one month. After reviewing the specific surgery schedule and treatment plan submitted by Jeong's legal counsel, the prosecution stated, "Following the committee's resolution, the execution suspension was decided for the purpose of surgery and treatment."
It is reported that Jeong heard the news while receiving treatment at a hospital outside the detention center that day. Jeong's side said, "Although delayed, we are relieved to finally receive proper treatment," and expressed gratitude to the committee for deciding on the release.
Going forward, Jeong will receive treatment for her herniated disc outside for one month. However, she is not allowed to stay anywhere other than the hospital.
In August, the prosecution had previously denied Jeong's request for execution suspension. At that time, Jeong's side applied for suspension citing the need for urgent surgery due to disc rupture, stenosis, and paralysis of the lower limbs. Although the prosecution rejected the request after review, Jeong's side reportedly applied again for execution suspension on health grounds three weeks later.
Jeong was sentenced to four years in prison by the Supreme Court in January this year for forging Dongyang University certificates for her daughter, Cho Min, and exerting undue influence on admissions. Currently, Jeong is serving her sentence at Seoul Detention Center and is on trial at the Seoul Central District Court along with her husband, former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, on charges of falsifying their son's school records and issuing false internship certificates.
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