Jung Kyung-shim Attends Final Trial of First Instance... 'Silent Response'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Jung Kyung-shim, a professor at Dongyang University and spouse of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who was indicted on charges including admission fraud involving their children and illegal investment in private equity funds, remained tight-lipped ahead of the first trial's closing arguments.

Professor Jung arrived at the Seoul Central District Court Complex in Seocho-gu, Seoul, at around 9:42 a.m. on the 5th to attend the closing arguments session of the case, which was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. under the Criminal Division 25-2 (Presiding Judge Lim Jeong-yeop). Unlike usual, she wore only glasses without her eye patch. When asked by reporters about the reasons for submitting many pieces of evidence before the final trial, she did not respond. She also remained silent when asked about her feelings ahead of the last hearing and proceeded directly to the courtroom. About 20 supporters of Professor Jung gathered at the courthouse, chanting phrases like "Stay strong, Professor."

The hearing on this day was scheduled to proceed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the prosecution's final opinions and sentencing requests. From 3:30 p.m., the defense's final arguments and Professor Jung's last statement were planned. After the conclusion of arguments, the court will set a date for the verdict. Considering that it generally takes about a month from closing arguments to sentencing, the verdict hearing is expected to be held in early next month.

Professor Jung was brought to trial on charges of falsifying or fraudulently issuing various documents, including a commendation certificate in the name of the president of Dongyang University from 2013 to 2014, which were used for her daughter's admission to Seoul National University and Pusan National University medical graduate schools. She is also accused of investing under a borrowed name in the private equity firm Kolink Private Equity (Kolink PE) to evade public official ethics regulations after Cho Kuk was appointed as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Blue House, embezzling about 150 million won through a false consulting contract. Additionally, she is charged with instructing asset manager Kim Kyung-rok to remove PCs from her home and Dongyang University research office ahead of the prosecution's investigation.

The prosecution indicted her three times in September, November, and December of last year on these charges, and the court consolidated the three cases for trial. Professor Jung was detained during the prosecution's investigation but was released on bail in May and has been undergoing trial without detention.

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