Prosecution and Jeong Gyeong-sim Clash Over Authenticity of Certificate and Legality of Search and Seizure

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Testimony from a Dongyang University staff member suggests that the certificate of commendation issued to Cho Min, daughter of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, may not have been issued through normal procedures. The staff member stated, "It is a certificate of commendation I have never seen before."

"Cho Kuk's Daughter's Certificate of Commendation Was Not Issued Normally"

On the 25th, at the 7th trial of Professor Jeong Gyeong-sim of Dongyang University held at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25-2 (Presiding Judge Lim Jeong-yeop), Jeong Mo, the deputy head of administrative affairs at Dongyang University, appeared as a witness.

The prosecution focused their questioning on Jeong regarding the differences between the certificate of commendation issued in Cho Min's name and other certificates issued by Dongyang University.

The prosecution first presented a copy of the certificate suspected of forgery and pointed out that the serial numbers were different. In response, Jeong said, "Among certificates issued through normal procedures, there has never been one with a number like the one on Cho's certificate."

When the prosecution asked if the documents related to Cho's certificate were issued without following normal procedures, Jeong answered, "Yes."

Jeong Gyeong-sim’s Side: "Seized PCs Are Illegally Collected Evidence"

Jeong was a staff member who voluntarily submitted two Dongyang University PCs related to Professor Jeong to the prosecution during the university's search and seizure in September last year. At that time, the PCs were located in the Dongyang University instructors' lounge.

Professor Jeong's defense has argued that the process of seizing these PCs was unlawful. They criticized that the evidence was illegally collected as the items were voluntarily submitted rather than seized through a warrant.

During cross-examination on the same day, Professor Jeong's defense maintained this position and questioned Jeong. They began by asking, "Did you ever get asked 'Whose are these?' when the prosecution requested voluntary submission?"

Jeong replied, "I don't remember," but added, "The two PCs in question were not registered computers and did not have stickers attached."

The defense then questioned whether Jeong had the authority to cooperate with the prosecution in allowing the search and seizure of the instructors' lounge, where key evidence such as the file with the seal of President Choi Seong-hae was stored.

Jeong said, "Another assistant said the PCs were abandoned, so I thought they were discarded items," and added, "I felt I needed to submit them quickly."

On Whether to Separate from Former Minister Cho Kuk’s Case: "Will Discuss with Jeong Gyeong-sim"

At the trial, Kim Mo, an assistant who also submitted two PCs from the Dongyang University instructors' lounge to the prosecution, appeared as a witness alongside Jeong.

Additionally, Professor Jeong’s side stated that they would "consult with the defendant" regarding when to apply for separating Professor Jeong’s case from former Minister Cho Kuk’s case and merging it with the existing case. If the two cases are merged, Professor Jeong will be tried separately from former Minister Cho Kuk.

Professor Jeong’s next trial is scheduled for the 30th. On that day, former Dongyang University President Choi Seong-hae is expected to appear as a witness.

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