[Insight & Opinion] Stuck Midway Across the 'Cho Kuk River'

[Asia Economy] The first trial verdict for former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk was delivered last week. The court sentenced him to two years in prison and ordered a fine of 6 million won. Most of the charges related to his children's admission fraud were found guilty. The charge of covering up the special inspection by the Blue House's special inspection team was also judged as guilty. The court's reprimand that "the defendant continues to make claims contrary to objective evidence even up to the courtroom, still turning a blind eye to his mistakes and showing no genuine remorse" is not contrary to common sense.

Until this verdict, our society had to go through a tunnel of severe division and conflict akin to a civil war. The country was completely split into ‘pro-Cho Kuk vs. anti-Cho Kuk,’ and scenes of mutual discomfort became commonplace. What exactly is ‘Cho Kuk’? Even if the prosecution’s investigation was harsh on former Minister Cho, if illegal acts were committed, it is common sense to reflect and take responsibility. However, the Democratic Party and its fandom clung only to ‘defending Cho Kuk,’ which led to a loss of public support and eventually the loss of power. Only belatedly did the Democratic Party say they had ‘crossed the river of Cho Kuk.’

However, the day after the sentencing, the Democratic Party launched a large-scale street protest. This was to counter the prosecution’s investigation into leader Lee Jae-myung. Currently, the Democratic Party holds 169 seats in the National Assembly. Even if a ‘request for Lee Jae-myung’s arrest consent’ is submitted to the Assembly, the Democratic Party has enough power to reject it. How public opinion will react to the opposition party’s street protests despite such power is another matter. Although it is a one-sided judgment by the prosecution, the various charges against Lee are by no means simple. Instead of demanding an end to the investigation, it is just to seek the truth through a fair investigation and trial. The Democratic Party is being swept away by the ‘river of Lee Jae-myung’ before properly crossing the ‘river of Cho Kuk.’

This time it is Cho Min, the daughter of former Minister Cho. Appearing on Kim Eo-jun’s YouTube broadcast, Cho Min claimed she was innocent and said, "Considering how the prosecution, media, and political circles have treated my family over the past four years, I think it was really harsh." She questioned, "I want to ask whether they apply the same standards to themselves or their own families." Cho Min probably thinks that everyone commits such admission fraud except her family. However, not just anyone forges and manipulates like that. When asked about her reputation as a doctor, Cho Min answered, "I heard I have sufficient qualifications." Upon hearing this, Jung Yoo-ra posted on Facebook, "What was so lacking about my qualifications as an equestrian that your father treated me that way?" The world spins like a black comedy. How did it become such a bizarre place?

It is said that Cho Min’s Instagram account is rapidly gaining supportive followers. Since she is still young, there was also a wish for her to overcome difficulties and stand up healthily as a person. But her overly confident attitude leaves observers feeling empty. What is the point of a trial? Even if the court issues a verdict, she does not even glance at it. Talking about ‘self-restraint and reflection as a party involved’ in front of her is just ‘nonsense.’ It is a ‘transcendent justice’ that goes beyond common sense and values, always believing one’s own camp is righteous. So the civil war seems likely to continue. Our society stopped halfway across the ‘river of Cho Kuk.’

Yoo Chang-sun, Political Commentator