The First Trial After Jeong Gyeong-sim's Release... "Though Health is Weak, I Will Participate Sincerely"

Jeong Gyeong-sim, a professor at Dongyang University and wife of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who was arrested and indicted on charges including admission corruption involving their children and suspicions of private equity funds, is entering the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 14th to attend the trial. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] Jung Kyung-shim, wife of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and professor at Dongyang University, attended the trial held for the first time after her release on the 14th.

Professor Jung departed from her residence in Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu, and arrived at the Seoul Central District Court, where the trial was held, around 9:40 a.m. Wearing a beige suit and an eye patch on her right eye, she arrived at the courthouse and told reporters at the photo line, "My health is weak, but I will sincerely attend the trial." She did not respond to questions about how she plans to explain the charges in the future or what she discussed with former Minister Cho after her release. About ten supporters and opponents gathered on her way to the trial, mixing cheers and jeers. However, no physical clashes occurred.

The trial of Professor Jung was held from 10 a.m. under the supervision of the Criminal Division 25-2 (Chief Judge Lim Jeong-yeop) at the Seoul Central District Court. Three witnesses appeared, including a hotel official from Busan where Jung’s daughter, Cho Min, had interned. Professor Han In-seop of Seoul National University Law School, who was originally scheduled to testify, submitted a letter of non-attendance to the court the day before and did not appear in court. Before the examination, the court informed Professor Jung’s side, "If there is any attempt to destroy evidence or escape in the future, an additional arrest warrant may be issued."

Professor Jung was arrested and indicted on November 11 last year on charges including admission fraud involving her children and allegations related to private equity funds. As the detention period for Professor Jung was about to expire on the 10th, the prosecution requested the court to issue an additional arrest warrant, citing concerns about evidence destruction. However, the court rejected the request, stating, "There is no risk of flight, and evidence investigation on charges such as forgery of Dongyang University certificates, for which additional warrants could be issued, has been conducted, making the possibility of evidence destruction low." Accordingly, Professor Jung was released from Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province, at 12:04 a.m. on the 10th, after 199 days of detention.

Meanwhile, Cho Kwon, younger brother of former Minister Cho, was released on bail by the Criminal Division 21 (Chief Judge Kim Mi-ri) of the same court the day before. With Professor Jung’s release followed by Cho’s, only one person, Cho Beom-dong, a fifth cousin of former Minister Cho, remains in detention among the Cho family members undergoing trial.

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