Prosecution Appeals '10 Million Won Fine' in Cho Min's First Trial Verdict... "Fine Unusual in Admission Fraud Cases"

"Active Participation in Crime and Inappropriate Fine Imposition"

The prosecution has appealed the first trial verdict that sentenced Cho Min, the eldest daughter of Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, to a fine of 10 million won on charges of admission fraud.

On the 29th, the 5th Trial Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Yoo Min-jong) appealed the first trial verdict that sentenced Cho Min, who was indicted on charges including forgery of official documents, obstruction of business, and obstruction of public officials by deception, to a fine of 10 million won.

On the 22nd, Cho Min, who was sentenced to a fine of 10 million won in the first trial for allegations of entrance exam fraud, is leaving the Seoul Central District Court building. Photo by Heo Younghan younghan@

A prosecution official stated, "On the 22nd, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Cho Min, the eldest daughter of former Minister Cho Kuk, to a fine of 10 million won in the admission fraud case," adding, "Previously, the prosecution had requested a sentence of one year imprisonment with three years probation, considering the sentences in similar admission fraud cases. However, since the adult defendant actively participated in the crime by personally submitting multiple false supporting admission documents and even attending admission interviews based on false credentials, and because imposing a fine as a property punishment in an admission fraud case is unprecedented and inappropriate, we judged that the first trial sentence does not correspond to the crime, and thus filed an appeal today."

He continued, "The prosecution will ensure that a sentence commensurate with the nature and circumstances of the crime is handed down in the appellate trial."

Cho was indicted without detention on charges of submitting falsified admission applications, self-introduction letters, and forged Dongyang University president’s commendations to the Busan National University Medical School on June 10, 2014, thereby obstructing the admission screening process, along with her mother, former Dongyang University professor Jung Kyung-shim.

On June 17, 2013, she was also charged with submitting falsified self-introduction letters, internship confirmation letters bearing the name of the head of the Public Interest and Human Rights Law Center at Seoul National University Law School, and forged supporting documents such as Dongyang University president’s commendations to the Seoul National University Medical School together with her parents.

Co-defendant former professor Jung received a final guilty verdict from the Supreme Court, and her father, Representative Cho, was sentenced to two years in prison in the second trial and has appealed; the Supreme Court is currently reviewing the case.