Two Convicted for Bribery in Woongdong Academy Hiring Scandal

The day before the detention hearing of Jung Kyung-shim, wife of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and professor at Dongyang University, on the 22nd, the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul./Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The court sentenced two accomplices accused of delivering bribes to Cho Kwon, the younger brother of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, in connection with allegations of recruitment corruption at Woongdong Academy.

On the 10th, Judge Hong Joon-seo of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 4 sentenced Park (53) and Cho (46), who were indicted on charges including breach of trust, to 1 year and 6 months and 1 year in prison, respectively. The court also ordered Park and Cho to pay fines of 38 million won and 25 million won, respectively.

The court explained the sentencing by stating, "The defendants received money and participated in the crime of trading teaching positions, which is a serious offense."

Cho Mo (52), the younger brother of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who is suspected of recruitment corruption and sham lawsuits related to the school foundation Ungdonghakwon operated by the family of former Minister Cho Kuk, is entering the courtroom to attend the warrant hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 31st. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

The court also recognized that Cho, the younger brother of former Minister Cho, conspired with them. The court ruled, "The defendants conspired with Cho and committed breach of trust and obstruction of business during the process of hiring social studies teachers at Woongdong Academy."

Earlier, during the prosecution's closing arguments at the Seoul Central District Court last year for Park and Cho's breach of trust charges, the prosecution requested prison sentences of 2 years and 1 year and 6 months, respectively. They also requested fines of 38 million won and 25 million won, respectively.

Park and Cho were arrested and indicted last October on charges of receiving bribes from parents of applicants for teaching positions at Woongdong Academy, taking separate commissions, and then delivering the money to Cho, who was the secretary-general of Woongdong Academy. They are also accused of providing the teaching exam questions and answers received from Cho to the applicants' parents.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.