Prosecution Summons Professor Jeong Kyung-shim as Witness in Trial of Cho Kuk's Fifth Cousin

Jeong Gyeong-sim, wife of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and a professor at Dongyang University, is entering the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 23rd to attend a pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant review). Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] Professor Jeong Gyeong-shim of Dongyang University will testify as a witness in the trial of Cho Beom-dong, the fifth cousin of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk.

In Cho's indictment, Professor Jeong is named as an accomplice in three criminal charges, including embezzlement through a false consulting contract, false reporting to the Financial Services Commission regarding private equity fund agreements, and evidence tampering.

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 24 (Presiding Judge So Byeong-seok) on the 30th accepted Professor Jeong as a witness in the trial of Cho, who was detained and indicted on charges of embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes and breach of trust.

This decision was made in response to the prosecution's previous request to have Professor Jeong testify as a witness.

The court requested the prosecution to "specifically organize and submit the matters to be examined and the purpose of such evidence."

Cho's defense team opposed this. The lawyer argued, "Isn't the prosecution trying to question Professor Jeong in this trial to cover parts they failed to properly examine during their investigation?"

The court responded to Cho's opposition by stating, "Although witness Jeong Gyeong-shim may exercise the right to refuse testimony, since she has been indicted as an accomplice, she must be given an opportunity to clarify."

The witness examination of Professor Jeong is scheduled to take place on the 20th of next month.

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