Jeong Gyeong-sim, Jo Beom-dong Indicate Intent Not to Attend Trial... Court to Proceed as Scheduled

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] On the 13th, Professor Jeong Kyung-shim of Dongyang University, who was selected as a witness in the trial of Cho Beom-dong, the fifth cousin of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, submitted a letter of absence to the court.

This effectively indicated her intention not to appear as a witness.

On the 13th, Professor Jeong's side submitted a letter of absence to the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 24 (Chief Judge So Byeong-seok), which is in charge of Cho's case. The contents of the letter were not disclosed.

Originally, the witness examination of Professor Jeong was scheduled for the 20th at the prosecution's request.

At the trial of Cho's case held that day, the prosecution stated, "We will request the witness to appear once more."

The court accepted the prosecution's position and decided to proceed with the witness examination schedule as planned. It also stated that if Professor Jeong does not appear, the subsequent procedures will be discussed again.

The court also announced plans to conduct the defendant examination of Cho on the 27th and to complete all hearings by the 18th of next month.

Previously, Cho was arrested and indicted in October last year on charges including violation of the Capital Markets Act, embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, breach of trust, and instigation of evidence concealment.

Cho is accused of falsely disclosing 5 billion KRW worth of stock shares acquired through private loans as his own capital, and despite no actual funds flowing into the company, issuing 15 billion KRW in convertible bonds to fabricate the appearance of investment inflow and attempt to boost the stock price (false disclosure and unfair trading under the Capital Markets Act).

He is also accused of misappropriating a total of 7.2 billion KRW of company funds, including embezzled amounts.

When suspicions related to private equity funds arose, Cho is accused of deleting or hiding files from the Coring Private Equity office and his home computer, and coordinating with related parties (instigation of evidence destruction and concealment).

Professor Jeong is named as an accomplice in the allegations of private equity fund corruption and evidence concealment charges against Cho.

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