Evidence Contradicting Cho Kuk's Hearing Testimony Emerges... Jung Kyung-shim's Daughter's Classmate Reveals "Spec Pumasi Exists" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] On the 7th, a classmate of Cho Min, daughter of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, from Han Young Foreign Language High School testified as a witness related to 'admission fraud' at the trial of Professor Jeong Gyeong-shim of Dongyang University, stating that so-called 'spec swapping' existed.

Physical evidence directly contradicting former Minister Cho's statement at last year's confirmation hearing, where he said, "I was not involved in having Jang intern at the Seoul National University Law School Public Interest and Human Rights Center," was also disclosed.

At the trial of Professor Jeong held that day at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25-2 (Presiding Judge Lim Jeong-yeop), Jang Mo, son of Professor Jang Young-pyo who listed Cho Min as the first author of a medical paper, appeared as a witness. Jang is a classmate of Cho Min in the study abroad class at Han Young Foreign Language High School.

The prosecution presented an email sent by former Minister Cho to Jang and Cho Min in 2008 when he was a professor at Seoul National University. It stated that in the first half of the following year (2009), an international symposium on the status of the death penalty in Asia would be held, and arrangements would be made for the two to intern there.

This is physical evidence that contradicts former Minister Cho's claim at last year's confirmation hearing. At that time, former Minister Cho said regarding the intern suspicion, "I was not involved and do not know the name or face of Professor Jang Young-pyo's son," and "It was confirmed that the children connected with the administrative office of the Seoul National University Public Interest Law Center to intern."

The prosecution asked Jang, presenting the transcript of the confirmation hearing containing former Minister Cho's statement, "So you never contacted the administrative office of the Seoul National University Public Interest Law Center for the purpose of an internship, right?" Jang answered, "Yes. I did not."

The prosecution also questioned Jang about his statement during last year's witness investigation. "You stated, 'In 2007, your father (Professor Jang Young-pyo) provided an internship to Cho Min. Since your father helped build Cho Min's specs, it means you also received help from former Minister Cho to build your specs.' Is this your opinion?"

Jang testified, "I think that is correct," adding, "I think my father provided the internship to Cho Min so that I could do well." This was testimony that spec swapping existed.

The prosecution believes that Professor Jang gave Cho Min an opportunity for experiential activities at Dankook University Medical Science Research Institute in 2007, listed her as the first author on a medical paper, and created a false certificate for use in university admissions. In return, former Minister Cho created a false internship record for Professor Jang's son, Jang Mo.

Jang attended a one-day seminar chaired by former Minister Cho in 2009 and recorded "2-week internship" on his high school transcript.

In the prosecution's investigation, Jang said, "Attending a short seminar once cannot be called an internship," and "I feel guilty for falsely creating specs." When the prosecution asked about the truth of this statement again that day, Jang answered, "Yes."

At the trial that day, whether Cho Min attended the seminar also became an issue. Last year, Professor Jeong's side released a video showing Cho Min's activities at the seminar. The video showed a female student wearing glasses, claimed to be Cho Min.

However, Jang denied this claim by Professor Jeong's side. When the prosecution showed the image of the female student in the video and asked, "Is it correct that this is different from Cho Min's face?" Jang answered, "Yes." He also testified, "Among Han Young Foreign Language High School students, only I attended the seminar, and Cho Min did not."

In response, Professor Jeong's lawyer rebutted, "Neither Jang nor Cho Min appears in the seminar video or photos," and "We cannot fully trust this testimony." However, when the court asked Jang, "Are you sure you did not see Cho Min at the seminar?" he answered, "Yes," reaffirming that Cho Min did not attend.

Cho Min received a certificate confirming attendance at the seminar and, like Jang, recorded "2-week internship" on her school record. The prosecution regards this as a false internship.

Meanwhile, supporters of Professor Jeong came to the courtroom to observe the trial that day. After the morning session ended, they stood up in the gallery and made heart shapes above their heads with both arms toward Professor Jeong. Professor Jeong also made a heart gesture toward them, smiled brightly, waved, and left the courtroom.

Recently, supporters of Professor Jeong have been holding rallies at the main gate of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul, urging her release. The day before, 68,341 supporters submitted a petition requesting her release. The court is scheduled to decide by 3 p.m. on the 8th whether to issue an additional arrest warrant for Professor Jeong.

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