"Rule of Law Must Be Established"... '7-Year Imprisonment Requested' Jeong Gyeongshim Finally in Tears (Comprehensive)

Professor Jeong Gyeong-sim, Dongyang University. / Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[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, at the sentencing hearing 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 won related to violations of the Capital Markets Act and an order to confiscate 164.61 million won.

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 involving living power raised by civil society." They added, "Only criminal facts clearly confirmed by lawful evidence during the investigation process were prosecuted," and "the crimes charged were corruption offenses that could not be tolerated or overlooked given their seriousness."

The prosecution further stated, "Since the facts charged have been proven to the extent that reasonable doubt is excluded, 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 according to the Constitution and laws."

During the prosecution's sentencing, Professor Jung glared at the prosecutors several times and wiped away tears when the sentence was announced.

Before presenting the sentencing opinion, the prosecution also gave final remarks divided by each criminal charge. Regarding the admission fraud involving their children, they pointed out, "It is a common dream for ordinary people 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, but they committed excessive illegal means for their children's success," and "They undermined the core value of fairness in the admission system, causing a sense of loss and despair to many young people and their parents."

Regarding the illegal investment in private equity funds, the prosecution defined it as "a case of pursuing unfair private interests 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 to guarantee preferential profits from Cho Beom-dong."

Regarding charges related to evidence destruction, they said, "The defendant concealed the truth of this case, infringing on the ministerial verification rights and the constitutional idea of popular sovereignty," and "After former Minister Cho Kuk was appointed as Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs, the defendant coerced false statements from related parties, which also obstructed and infringed on the President's right to appoint public officials."

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

When the prosecution made their sentencing demand, gasps were heard from the gallery. One spectator even uttered profanity. In response, the presiding judge ordered the detention of the spectator who used profanity and decided to hold a contempt trial as soon as Professor Jung's sentencing hearing concluded.

Previously, Professor Jung was brought to trial on charges of falsifying or fraudulently issuing various documents, including a certificate of commendation in the name of the president of Dongyang University from 2013 to 2014, which were used in her daughter's admission to Seoul National University and Pusan National University medical graduate schools. She is also accused of investing under a false name in the private equity firm Co-Link Private Equity (Co-Link PE) to avoid public official ethics regulations after former Minister Cho Kuk was appointed Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs, and 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.