Cho Kuk and Jung Kyung-shim Guilty of Choi Seo-won's 'Admission Fraud'
Statements from 'Preferential Treatment' Parties Under Scrutiny
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Cho Min, the eldest daughter of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, appeared on a YouTube broadcast and expressed her stance of being "proud" regarding the recent prison sentence given to her father on charges including admission fraud involving his children.
In response, Jung Yoo-ra, daughter of Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil), the main figure behind the 'state affairs manipulation' during the Park Geun-hye administration, targeted Cho Min by sharply stating, "Who do you think is more wronged, you or me?" However, since both are so-called 'gold spoons' who received privileges due to their parents' social and economic backgrounds, there are criticisms that their statements regarding admission fraud are inappropriate.
On the 6th, Cho Min appeared for the first time with her face revealed on the YouTube channel 'Kim Eo-jun's Humility is Difficult News Factory,' hosted by Kim Eo-jun. On that day, regarding the prison sentence of former Minister Cho Kuk, she said, "I think the prosecution, media, and political circles have been harsh to our family for the past four years," and added, "I want to ask whether they themselves or their families apply the same standards."
On the 6th, Jomin appeared on Kim Eo-jun's YouTube channel 'Kim Eo-jun's Humility is Hard News Factory' for an interview. Photo by Kim Eo-jun's Humility is Hard News Factory YouTube capture
She emphasized, "Personally, I sincerely realized that my environment, which is not lacking, could be seen as a privilege by someone," but added, "I have lived proudly and without shame." She also said, "Just receiving a certificate of commendation does not make one a doctor, and my grades were sufficient."
After this interview was reported, Jung Yoo-ra showed signs of discomfort. On that day, she raised her voice on her Facebook, saying, "What was so lacking in my qualifications as an equestrian that your father (former Minister Cho) treated me that way?"
She also pointed out unfairness regarding Cho Min continuing her medical career after obtaining her medical license in 2021. Currently, Cho Min's admission to the Pusan National University Graduate School of Medicine was canceled after being recognized in the criminal trial of her mother, former Dongyang University professor Jung Kyung-shim, for submitting false internship certificates and certificates of commendation during the admission process. However, Cho Min appealed this decision, and due to the court's suspension of execution, her admission and medical license remain valid until the first trial verdict is issued.
However, there are criticisms that their claims of being proud or wronged are inappropriate. Both are viewed critically as 'gold spoons' who received improper privileges due to their parents' backgrounds. Their parents also share the commonality of being convicted on charges related to admission fraud.
Jung Yura, daughter of Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil), who is imprisoned for the 'state manipulation' case, is giving a support speech at the independent candidate Kang Yong-seok's Gyeonggi Province governor campaign launch held at Jidonggyo Bridge in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, in the afternoon of May last year. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Previously, Jung Yoo-ra was admitted to Ewha Womans University in 2015 through the special recruitment for sports talents (equestrian category), but it was revealed that her admission was fraudulent during the state affairs manipulation scandal. As a result, her admission was canceled in December 2016, and in 2017, Choi was sentenced to three years in prison for admission and academic fraud related to Jung Yoo-ra at Ewha Womans University.
Former Minister Cho Kuk and his spouse, former Dongyang University professor Jung Kyung-shim, were also convicted for admission fraud involving their children. On the 3rd, former Minister Cho was found guilty on most charges related to admission fraud involving his children. Previously, the prosecution applied charges including obstruction of business, forgery and use of false official documents, and forgery of private documents against former Minister Cho.
Regarding former professor Jung, who was jointly indicted as an accomplice in her son's admission fraud, an additional one-year prison sentence was added on the same day. Currently, former professor Jung is serving a four-year prison sentence handed down by the Supreme Court last year for admission fraud including forging her daughter's Dongyang University certificate of commendation and illegal investment in private equity funds.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
