"Petition Urging Leniency for Jo Min Who Voluntarily Surrendered Medical License" Revealed

Jomin's First Trial Verdict Scheduled for March 22
Prosecution Seeks 1 Year Imprisonment, 3 Years Probation
Petition States "Problem in Education System, Excessive Responsibility Shifted to Individual"
"Voluntarily Surrendered Medical License and Other Credentials for 10 Years... Punishment Is Harsh"

As the first trial verdict approaches in the college admission fraud case involving Cho Min, daughter of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, a petition appealing for leniency has been made public, stating that "punishment is harsh for Cho Min, who has given up all social achievements for 10 years."

The group "Citizens Hoping for a Wise Judgment on Cho Min" announced on the 1st via Google Docs, "We submit this petition with the hope for judicial tolerance and leniency toward defendant Cho Min, who has been at the center of controversy since 2019 by raising issues of fairness and common sense in Korean society for five years." Cho Min, who has been indicted on charges of falsifying official documents, obstruction of business, and obstruction of public officials by deception, is scheduled to receive the first trial verdict from the Seoul Central District Court on March 22. Previously, the prosecution requested a sentence of one year imprisonment with three years probation.

"The Admission System Is the Problem... Holding Cho Min Personally Responsible Is Excessive"

Recently engaged Jo Min [Photo by Jo Min Instagram]

In the petition, they stated, "Defendant Cho Min entered university after the introduction of the admissions officer system, during which students engaged in creative and autonomous activities beyond the curriculum to nurture their dreams for the future." They added, "It is true that specialized high schools such as science high schools and foreign language high schools, which offered various programs, were advantageous, and that students from families with parents in professional fields like professors and doctors had above-average quantitative and qualitative experiential activities, which is why citizens criticize this as privilege." They continued, "However, the fact that opportunities differ according to social achievements is painful but reflects the reality of Korean society. Regarding this, both the defendant and her father have apologized to the public multiple times."

Cho Min graduated from Han Young Foreign Language High School. The petition pointed out the problems of the admission system and argued that holding Cho Min fully responsible is excessive. "The responsibility to design and supervise the admission system, to establish mechanisms for students to transparently present themselves, and to create a better admission system lies with our generation," they said, adding, "The inaccuracies in experiential activities are side effects of a transitional admission system that strengthens autonomy, and it is a task for all of us to correct this more transparently and fairly through collective effort."

They further stated, "It is excessive to hold the student personally fully accountable for these issues," and argued, "Defendant Cho Min has relinquished all social achievements she gained over the past 10 years, withdrawn lawsuits against Korea University and Pusan National University, and voluntarily surrendered her medical license. Before the application of the law, she has taken responsibility by giving up the achievements she worked hard for over the past decade. What greater remorse could there be?"

Cho Family in Ruins... "Proud of Her Reflective Attitude"

Cho Min, daughter of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, is heading to the courtroom to attend a trial on charges including obstruction of official duties and obstruction of business (admission fraud) held at the Seoul Central District Court on the 8th. Photo by Heo Younghan younghan@

The petition stated, "The defendant had to watch her ailing mother serve 1,152 days in prison because of her case, her father has been on trial for five years, and even her younger sibling gave up their degree, enduring great pain." They added, "As parents raising children ourselves, we feel heartbroken and sorry watching defendant Cho Min, who, like any adult, has made mistakes big or small related to their children." They also said, "At the same time, we feel proud seeing her humbly reflect on her mistakes and strive to become a better person."

They concluded the petition with a heartfelt appeal to the presiding judge: "Is it not too harsh to impose further punishment on a young person who has sincerely reflected and relinquished all social achievements related to the controversy? We ask the judiciary for a fair and humane judgment that upholds social norms and justice through punishment proportional to the wrongdoing. We earnestly petition for leniency toward this young person who wishes to return to the beginning, live honorably and diligently contribute to society in the country where she was born, and seek a different life and career path, hoping you will encourage her with courage rather than a whip."

Meanwhile, Cho Min recently revealed her engagement and announced plans to share her wedding preparations on YouTube. Her father, former Minister Cho Kuk, said, "Her fianc? is a young man who stood firmly by my daughter during difficult times," and added, "They got engaged with the blessings of both families. I wish happiness for the future of these two young people." After the engagement announcement, supporters of Cho Min flooded her with donations, prompting her to clarify, "It seems my bank account was briefly disclosed after the engagement announcement. I have never disclosed it nor requested disclosure," and she asked for it to be stopped.