Over 410,000 Sign 청원 to Impeach Judge Jeong Gyeong-sim... Concerns Over 'Judicial Witch Hunt' and Public Trial

Petitioner: "Did you really judge according to the conscience stated in the Constitution?"

A petition requesting the impeachment of the court that convicted Professor Jeong Gyeong-sim of Dongyang University received the support of approximately 413,700 people as of 7:30 a.m. on the 29th. Photo by Cheong Wa Dae National Petition Board capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] A Blue House petition demanding the impeachment of the trial panel that sentenced Jeong Gyeong-sim, a professor at Dongyang University and wife of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, has garnered over 410,000 signatures as of the 29th. This has raised concerns that critical public opinion might be exerted on the trial panel handling the case. Additionally, voices calling for judicial reform are growing within the ruling party, leading to criticism that the situation might devolve into a trial by public opinion.

On the 24th, the day after the court ordered Professor Jeong's detention, a petition titled "We demand the impeachment of the first trial panel for Jeong Gyeong-sim (Im Jeong-yeop, Kwon Seong-su, Kim Seon-hee)" was posted on the Blue House petition board. As of 7:30 a.m. on the 29th, the petition had received over 413,700 signatures.

The petitioner explained the background, stating, "This petition should be made by the legislative branch representing the people, not by the Blue House or the executive branch, which do not have direct authority in this matter. However, since the Blue House and government share responsibility for the important task of 'judicial reform,' I am posting this petition."

He urged, "As a citizen of the Republic of Korea, I call on the National Assembly, representing the people, to propose an impeachment motion against the three judges of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25-2?Im Jeong-yeop, Kwon Seong-su, and Kim Seon-hee?who delivered the first trial verdict on December 23, 2020, for Jeong Gyeong-sim," adding, "The reason is that these three judges have severely violated Article 103 of the Constitution, which mandates that judges must adjudicate according to their conscience."

He continued, "The Criminal Division 25-2 panel, consisting of Im Jeong-yeop, Kwon Seong-su, and Kim Seon-hee, delivered the first trial verdict against Professor Jeong today, sentencing her to four years in prison and a fine of 500 million won," and said, "The essence of the guilty verdict is that all allegations of admission fraud involving Jeong Gyeong-sim's children were recognized as true."

The petitioner explained, "From the beginning, the prosecution conducted forced and separate investigations into everything related to former Minister Cho and his family for political purposes, scrutinizing all documents related to the children's admissions. The three judges accepted all the prosecution's claims that all documents submitted during the admission process were forged."

He added, "The result of today's verdict denies a person's entire life," emphasizing, "This is not a case of drug trafficking or lenient treatment of drunk driving and driver substitution by the judiciary. The court judged that all admission documents were forged, denying a person's entire life. I want to ask the trial panel whether this judgment was truly made according to the conscience mandated by the Constitution."

Finally, he called for the enactment of a jury system that can achieve 'judicial democracy,' urging, "Please legislate so that Supreme Court justices can be elected rather than appointed, to realize 'judicial democracy.'"

Earlier, Professor Jeong, who was indicted on charges including admission fraud involving her children and private equity fund suspicions, was sentenced to four years in prison and fined 500 million won on the 23rd and was detained in court. The trial panel recognized all charges related to admission fraud but acquitted some charges related to the private equity fund suspicions and evidence tampering.

Jeong Gyeong-shim, wife of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who has been indicted on charges including school admission fraud for her children and private equity fund investment suspicions, is attending the first trial sentencing hearing held on the afternoon of the 23rd at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, calls for judicial reform have recently been rising, mainly within the ruling party. Shin Dong-geun, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, urged judicial reform through his Facebook post on the same day, stating, "We will systematically and strongly promote high-intensity prosecution and judicial reforms against the strong resistance of the legal cartel that seeks to maintain criminal and judicial power as an alliance of privileged groups, and establish democratic and civic control systems."

Kim Seong-hwan, a member of the same party, claimed that the judiciary, like the prosecution, is also a vested interest group. On the 25th, Kim posted on his Facebook, "Although the strong resistance of the prosecution was overshadowed ahead of the launch of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), it seems some judges are also very uncomfortable with their vested interest cartel being broken."

He expressed distrust in the trial panel's verdict, saying, "The over-politicization of the judiciary and prosecution fundamentally damages democracy. The rulings related to Professor Jeong and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl symbolize this."

He added, "Now, we must raise candles online to confront the massive vested interest cartel. The government and National Assembly must also act more swiftly. At times like this, we must act calmly but urgently."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min emphasized court reform. Kim said, "It may seem like we are losing, but we are never defeated. Even if we lose battles, we can win the war," and stressed, "Through legislation, we will make the prosecution and courts loyal to the people. We have enough time and seats."

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