"Jomin's Seoul National University Graduate School Admission Not Yet Canceled... 8 Million Won Scholarship Also Not Returned"

5 Times Academic Records Consent Form Sent
Seoul National University "Considering Resending Consent Form"

Seoul National University requested consent forms for academic verification from Cho Min, the daughter of Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, in order to cancel her admission to the Graduate School of Environmental Studies, but it has been revealed that no response was received.

According to materials submitted by Seoul National University to Seo Ji-young, a member of the People Power Party, on the 15th, Seoul National University sent academic verification consent forms five times between September 18 and November 14 of last year to the email address listed on Cho’s Graduate School of Environmental Studies application. However, even after a year, Seoul National University has not received any response, and as a result, Cho is currently maintaining her student status at the Graduate School of Environmental Studies at Seoul National University.

Jo 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@

Previously, Seoul National University had requested academic verification from Korea University via official letter but was informed that written consent from the individual was required, leading them to send the consent forms directly to Cho. Due to the lack of consent for academic verification, the university could not proceed with the admission cancellation process, and consequently, Seoul National University has not been able to recover the scholarship funds totaling 8.02 million KRW that Cho received twice from the Gwanakhoe, a scholarship foundation under the alumni association, around the time of her admission to the Graduate School of Environmental Studies.

Seoul National University stated, "We are exploring ways to obtain Cho’s consent for academic verification, including resending the consent forms. We expect the admission cancellation process to take about 2 to 3 months after academic verification." They added, "Once the admission cancellation process is completed, we plan to request the Gwanakhoe to proceed with the scholarship refund." Meanwhile, Cho enrolled in the Graduate School of Environmental Studies at Seoul National University in the first semester of 2014 but applied for a leave of absence after being admitted to the Medical School at Pusan National University in the second semester, and subsequently was expelled for not registering at the Graduate School of Environmental Studies.

During this process, Cho received 8.02 million KRW in scholarships from the Gwanakhoe in 2014, which has been criticized as preferential treatment. The failure to return the scholarship was also pointed out during last year’s national audit. Regarding this, the Cho Kuk Innovation Party stated that inquiries should be directed to the individual involved. Cho, who has been indicted on charges of admission fraud, was sentenced to a fine of 10 million KRW in the first trial in March and has appealed. Cho Kuk himself was sentenced to two years in prison in the first and second trials for charges related to his children’s admission fraud and is awaiting the Supreme Court’s ruling.