Choi Kang-wook's Second Trial... First Appearance as a Member of the National Assembly

Most Evidence "Unrelated" Remains Unchanged

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, appeared at the court on the 2nd to face trial for the first time as a member of the National Assembly.

Choi appeared for the second trial on charges including obstruction of business, presided over by Judge Jeong Jong-geon of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 9. He reportedly avoided the press and headed straight to the courtroom for the trial scheduled at 10 a.m.

During the trial, procedures such as admission or denial of evidence were conducted. Choi’s side agreed only to some of the evidence submitted by the prosecution and mostly denied it on the grounds that it was "irrelevant to the charges." In particular, the defense objected to evidence such as messages from Professor Jeong Gyeong-shim’s mobile phone, Seoul National University admission certificates, and internship confirmation letters, stating that "they have nothing to do with this case."

After completing the evidence admission procedure, the court proceeded with documentary evidence examination. Choi’s side, citing National Assembly schedules, requested the trial to proceed without the defendant present, but the court rejected this, stating it was "illegal under the Criminal Procedure Act." Choi planned to hold a press conference at the National Assembly at 11 a.m. that day.

Choi is accused of issuing a false internship confirmation letter in October 2017 for Cho Mo, son of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, while working as a lawyer at the law firm Cheongmaek, thereby obstructing graduate school admissions work along with former Minister Cho. This document was used for Cho’s graduate school admissions at Korea University and Yonsei University. Cho was ultimately admitted to the political science and diplomacy graduate programs at Korea University and Yonsei University for the 2018 academic year.

Choi’s side completely denied these charges at the first trial in April. Upon attending the first trial, he said, "I come to court today due to illegal and political prosecution by political prosecutors," adding, "As one of the defendants, I intend to speak in detail to seek a lawful judgment based on judicial justice and to ask for a wise decision."

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