Message Sent to Jeong Gyeong-sim Used as Evidence of Guilt... Choi Kang-wook Faces Loss of Parliamentary Seat (Comprehensive)

8 Months Imprisonment with 2 Years Probation
Court Recognizes Intentional Obstruction of Business

Open Democratic Party leader Choi Kang-wook, who is accused of falsifying an internship certificate for the son of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, is leaving the courtroom after attending the first trial sentencing hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 28th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Sung-pil] Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, who was indicted on charges of issuing a false internship certificate for the son of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, was sentenced to a penalty resulting in the loss of his parliamentary seat in the first trial. If the verdict is confirmed by the Supreme Court, Choi will lose his seat as a lawmaker.

On the morning of the 28th, Judge Jung Jong-geon of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 9 sentenced Choi, who was tried on charges including obstruction of business, to 8 months in prison with a 2-year probation. The court stated, "The defendant's crime undermines the fairness of university admissions, and considering the influence of academic background on social status in our society, it cannot be taken lightly," adding, "Sentencing was considered from the perspective of preventing such illegal acts, including the possibility of issuance based on connections rather than ability."

Choi, who was working as a lawyer at the law firm Cheongmaek, was indicted in January last year on charges of issuing false internship activity certificates twice in 2017 and 2018 for Cho Mo, the son of former Minister Cho Kuk. Cho's son submitted these certificates to graduate school admissions at Korea University and Yonsei University and was admitted to both. At the time of indictment, Choi was the Blue House Secretary for Public Office Discipline and ran as a proportional representative candidate in the April 15 general election last year, winning a seat. He is known to be a close acquaintance and a junior from Seoul National University Law School of former Minister Cho.

In court, Choi claimed innocence, arguing that the son of former Minister Cho actually interned and that the certificate was not false but written based on that. However, the court found both Choi's and Cho's son's testimonies unreliable. The court stated, "The activities of former Minister Cho's son do not match the contents of the certificate, and it is difficult to see them as exaggerated," adding, "The certificate does not correspond to the actual activities performed, likely causing misunderstanding or confusion for the admissions officer."

The court also judged that Choi had intent in obstructing business. A text message sent to Jung Kyung-shim, a professor at Dongyang University and spouse of former Minister Cho, saying "I hope the certificate helps with admission" and "It is for Yonsei University and Korea University," was used as evidence. The court said, "Although it was a polite greeting, it shows awareness that the certificate would be submitted for admission," and "Even if Choi did not know specifically which university or department Cho's son was applying to, it is not unreasonable to recognize intent."

Open Democratic Party leader Choi Kang-wook, who is accused of falsifying an internship certificate for the son of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, is leaving the courtroom after attending the first trial sentencing hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 28th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

From the time of indictment, Choi claimed that the prosecution abused its authority by indicting him without investigating the suspect, arguing it was unfair. He said that, aware of his position as Secretary for Public Office Discipline and his influence over prosecutorial personnel affairs, the prosecution made a retaliatory indictment despite the statute of limitations still being valid. However, the court rejected this claim, stating, "The defendant did not respond to a lawful summons, and there was evidence. Although a prosecutorial personnel change was imminent, it is unrelated to the exercise of defense rights."

With the suspended sentence, Choi avoided immediate imprisonment but now faces the risk of losing his parliamentary seat. According to the Public Official Election Act and the National Assembly Act, a lawmaker loses eligibility and seat if sentenced to imprisonment or higher (including suspended sentences). Immediately after the verdict, Choi told reporters, "It makes me think about the court’s perception as a body to check the prosecution’s rampage," adding, "I will appeal immediately and strive to reveal the truth."

Meanwhile, Choi is also on trial for charges of false public announcement (violation of the Public Official Election Act) during last year’s general election period, denying the false preparation of the internship certificate for former Minister Cho’s son, and for defamation of former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae by spreading false information on social media.

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