Jung Kyung-shim Found Guilty of All 'Admission Fraud' Charges... Will Daughter Cho Min's Admissions to Korea University and Pusan National University Be Canceled?

Daughter Jo to Take Medical Licensing Exam in September
Expected to Obtain Medical License Next Year

Medical Association Files Injunction to Suspend Written Exam Validity
"Did Not Meet Eligibility Requirements"

Jeong Gyeong-sim, a professor at Dongyang University and wife of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who was indicted on charges of entrance exam fraud and private equity fund suspicions, is attending the first trial sentencing hearing held on the 23rd at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] As the court has found Professor Jeong Gyeong-shim of Dongyang University guilty of all charges related to her child's admission fraud, attention is focusing on whether her daughter, Jo Min, will have her admission to the Pusan National University School of Medicine revoked. Jo, a fourth-year student at Pusan National University Medical School, took the 2021 medical licensing examination last September and is scheduled to obtain her medical license next year. If her admission to Pusan National University Medical School is canceled, there is a high possibility that her medical license will be invalidated.

On the 23rd, the Criminal Division 25-2 of the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Professor Jeong, who was indicted on 15 charges, to four years in prison and fined her 500 million won, ordering her immediate detention. A confiscation of 140 million won was also imposed.

Regarding the admission fraud charges, the court recognized all allegations against Professor Jeong. The court stated, "All certificates, including those for experiential activities at Dankook University Medical Science Research Institute, are false," and "The defendant actively participated in submitting self-introduction letters and certificates of commendation to the medical school, and all charges related to admission fraud are guilty." In particular, concerning the contentious Dongyang University certificate of commendation, the court judged that "there is sufficient evidence of forgery." The claim that Professor Jeong could not have forged the documents because she did not know how to use a computer was also rejected.

Pusan National University: "We will wait for the final court ruling"
Korea University: Will convey position after reviewing first trial verdict

Pusan National University announced on the 24th that it will wait until the Supreme Court's final ruling regarding the first trial verdict. Kim Haeyoung, head of the Pusan National University Admissions Office, said, "We will hold a deliberation committee based on the final court judgment and the admission guidelines to discuss the matter," adding, "We do not know when the trial will end, but we plan to make a decision at that moment."

Previously, when Jo was admitted to Korea University in 2009 through the World Leading Talent admission track, there also appeared to be admission fraud, which could lead to revocation of her bachelor's degree. According to Article 34-6 of the Higher Education Act (Cancellation of Admission Permission), if a student who was granted admission to a university submits forged or altered false documents during the admission process or has someone else take the exam on their behalf, the university president may cancel the admission permission. Korea University stated that it will review the first trial verdict and internally verify the facts before determining a specific position.

Meanwhile, the Korean Pediatric Society filed a provisional injunction on the same day to suspend Jo's eligibility to take the medical licensing examination until the final court ruling is made.

Im Hyuntaek, president of the Korean Pediatric Society, explained the reason for the application: "Since Jo's admission to Pusan National University was based on false admission documents, the admission permission should be nullified or canceled. Therefore, Jo does not meet the qualifications to take the medical licensing examination under the Medical Service Act."

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