Prosecution Seeks 7-Year Sentence for Jeong Gyeong-sim... "Should Be an Opportunity to Establish the Rule of Law" (2nd Report)

Professor Jeong Kyung-shim, Dongyang University Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The prosecution has demanded a 7-year prison sentence for Jung Kyung-shim, a professor at Dongyang University and the 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.

On the 5th, during the sentencing hearing of Professor Jung held at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25-2 (Presiding Judge Lim Jeong-yeop), the prosecution requested the court, saying, "We ask for a verdict that will serve as an opportunity to establish the rule of law." They also requested a fine of 900 million KRW related to violations of the Capital Markets Act and an order to confiscate 164.61 million KRW.

In their sentencing opinion, the prosecution defined the investigation as "a case where criminal authority was exercised to uncover the substantive truth regarding allegations of corruption by living power raised by civil society." They added, "Only criminal facts clearly confirmed by lawful evidence during the investigation were prosecuted," and "the crimes charged were serious and constituted corruption that could not be tolerated or overlooked."

The prosecution further stated, "The facts charged have been proven to the extent that reasonable doubt can be excluded," and warned, "If accountability for corruption is not pursued, the rule of law in our country could fall into darkness." They continued, "We are concerned that our country could become a paradise for criminals with political and economic power and that corruption could flourish; therefore, we ask for a strict judgment in accordance with the Constitution and laws."

Before presenting the sentencing opinion, the prosecution also gave final statements divided by each criminal charge.

Regarding the admission fraud involving their children, they pointed out, "It is an ordinary dream for parents to want to pass on good jobs to their children, but the defendant tried to achieve this not through effort and fairness but through privileges of the elite." They added, "The defendant couple, as university professors, had the duty to teach truth to students and lead efforts to prevent academic fraud, yet they committed excessive illegal means for their children's success," and "They damaged the core value of fairness in the admission system, causing many young people and their parents to feel a sense of loss and despair."

Regarding the illegal investment in private equity funds, the prosecution defined it as "a case of pursuing unjust personal gain and a new form of collusion between politics and business." They criticized, "The defendant invested a large sum in Cho Beom-dong, who promised massive asset growth, dreaming of becoming a building owner in Gangnam," and "They abused their public position by receiving preferential profits from Cho Beom-dong."

Regarding charges related to evidence destruction, the prosecution stated, "The defendant concealed the truth of this case, infringing on the ministerial verification authority and the constitutional ideology of popular sovereignty," and "After the appointment of former Minister Cho Kuk as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, the defendant coerced false statements from related parties, which also obstructed and infringed upon the president's authority to appoint public officials."

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