"Cho Kuk's Two Children Give Up Everything" Cha Bum-geun Submits Petition to the Court

Film Director Jeong Ji-young and Others Request Leniency
"No Connection but Please Consider Courage and Reflection"

Former South Korea national football team coach Cha Bum-kun (71) and others submitted a petition to the court requesting leniency in the appeal trial related to allegations of admission fraud involving former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and his wife Jung Kyung-shim's children.

On the 29th, Dong-A Ilbo reported that Cho's legal team submitted a "petition from various sectors," including former coach Cha, on the 22nd of this month. It also reported that film director Jeong Ji-young (78) and others submitted petitions as well.

Former National Soccer Team Coach Cha Bum-kun
[Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@]

In the petition, former coach Cha stated, "I have no personal connection with the Cho family," but added, "I am confident that the pain endured by the Cho family and the punishment they have borne have served as a strong warning to many parents in South Korea who have had similar experiences."

He continued, "Cho Kuk's two children have given up everything. I earnestly ask that their courage and remorse be deeply considered. Please look upon them warmly and with the heart of a parent, and I dare to ask for leniency. I, ignorant and insignificant, am making this appeal."

Former coach Cha's side explained that the petition was submitted due to his own difficult experiences, including harsh criticism directed not only at himself but also at his family when the South Korean team performed poorly in the 1998 France World Cup. At that time, Cha Du-ri, then a high school senior and now a coach for the South Korean national football team, was about to enter Korea University, and there were criticisms saying "his admission should be blocked." However, he drew a clear line, stating that this petition has nothing to do with support for Cho or any political stance.

The Seoul High Court Criminal Division 13 (Presiding Judges Kim Woo-soo, Kim Jin-ha, and Lee In-soo) will conduct the appeal sentencing for former Minister Cho Kuk on the 8th of next month, regarding allegations of admission fraud involving his children and the cover-up of the inspection of former Busan City Economic Vice Mayor Yoo Jae-soo. Conversely, petitions urging strict punishment against Cho Kuk and his wife have also been submitted to the court by civic groups.