Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk Appears at First Trial Today... Hearing on Allegations of Inspection Interference

by Cho Seongpill

Published 08 May.2020 06:50(KST)

Updated 08 May.2020 07:43(KST)

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[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who was indicted on charges of family corruption and obstruction of inspection, will appear in court for the first time as a defendant on the 8th.

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21 (Presiding Judge Kim Miri) will hold the first trial at 10 a.m. on the same day for former Minister Cho, who was indicted on charges including bribery and abuse of authority.

Since the court decided at a previous preparatory hearing to first proceed with the trial regarding the 'inspection obstruction' case, Professor Jeong Gyeongshim of Dongyang University and Director Noh Hwanjoong of Busan Medical Center will not attend the trial on this day.

Former Minister Cho Kuk, former Anti-Corruption Secretary Park Hyungcheol, and former Civil Affairs Secretary Baek Wonwoo are expected to appear in court.

The court plans to hear the charges and the defendant's statements in the morning, and in the afternoon, summon former Blue House Special Inspection Team Leader Lee Ingeol as a witness for questioning.

Former Minister Cho was brought to trial on charges including abusing his authority to halt the inspection of former Busan City Deputy Mayor Yoo Jaesoo by the Blue House Civil Affairs Office Special Inspection Team in 2017 and failing to take follow-up measures.