Jokuk "My wife in prison worries a lot about hospital and lawyer fees"

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Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and his daughter Cho Min mentioned former Dongyang University professor Jeong Gyeong-shim, who is currently incarcerated after being convicted of admission fraud charges.

On the 11th, at the 'A Walk Through Legal Classics with Author Cho Kuk (Book Concert)' held in Haeundae-gu, Busan, Cho Kuk spoke about Jeong, who was sentenced to four years in prison by the Supreme Court in January last year and is currently serving her sentence, saying, “As my daughter's school issue unfolded like that, I was shocked as a mother.”

Former Minister Cho Kuk and his daughter Cho Min are wearing Lotte Giants uniforms gifted by a fan at the 'A Walk Through Cho Kuk's Legal Classics: Conversation with the Author' event held on the afternoon of the 11th in Haeundae-gu, Busan. [Image source=Yonhap News]

When the host asked about Jeong’s health condition, he said, "She underwent spinal surgery twice but entered prison without proper rehabilitation, which became a problem again," adding, "Her pain worsened, and after an external diagnosis, it was found that there was an issue, so she applied for a suspension of sentence execution." He then shared her recent status.

Previously, Jeong had applied for a suspension of sentence execution due to a herniated disc and paralysis in her lower limbs, and was released for a month in October last year. The suspension was extended once more for additional treatment, but the second extension was denied. It is known that she submitted another application for suspension of sentence execution to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on the 31st of last month.

Cho Kuk explained, “If (Professor Jeong) becomes physically unwell, it must be mentally difficult as well. In such a state, she seems to be worried a lot about hospital bills, lawyer fees, and so on,” adding, “She is currently relatively stable and is awaiting a decision on the suspension of sentence execution.”

At the book concert stage that day, Cho Min, who attended together, said about her mother, former Professor Jeong, “Whenever I see her, she is always smiling, and she really likes that I am active and outgoing. I think she takes joy in that,” adding, “It is very unfortunate that she cannot undergo sufficient rehabilitation to reduce the aftereffects of the surgery.”

Meanwhile, according to the 'Top 10 Individual Deposit Amounts of Retained Money (Commissary Funds) Among Inmates at Seoul Detention Center' submitted by the Ministry of Justice to Rep. Yoo Sang-beom of the People Power Party on the 10th, Jeong was the inmate with the highest amount of commissary deposits at Seoul Detention Center from January 2021 to the end of February this year, reportedly receiving 241.3 million KRW over two years.

Busan National University Professor: "Your Daughter's Issue Is at Our School... There Is Much Support"

Former Minister Cho Kuk and his daughter Cho Min. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, Cho Kuk also commented on the recent court ruling that upheld the cancellation of Cho Min’s admission to the Busan National University Medical School. He said, “My daughter has appealed the cancellation of admission lawsuit,” adding, “If the school issue is finalized, the Ministry of Health and Welfare will revoke her medical license, and there will be another lawsuit regarding that.”

He continued, “Because she was preoccupied with the medical qualification exams for the past 10 years, she now has relatively more free time and is enjoying volunteering and visiting good restaurants,” adding, “I told her to rest and have fun for a longer time going forward.”

Meanwhile, two professors from Busan National University attended the book concert, drawing attention. One of them took the microphone from the audience and said to Cho Kuk, “Your daughter's issue is currently at our school,” expressing support by saying, “I believe the law should never be excessive, and many professors support that aspect.”