Cho Young-nam, acquitted again in 2nd trial for additional 'painting forgery' charges... "Proof that Korean contemporary art is alive"

On the afternoon of the 28th, singer and painter Jo Young-nam, who was indicted on fraud charges, was acquitted at the appellate trial held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu and is leaving the courtroom.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Singer Jo Young-nam (76), who was acquitted by the Supreme Court after being charged with selling paintings completed with the help of assistants as if he had painted them himself, was also acquitted in the appellate trial of another separate 'masterpiece case' in which he was charged.

On the afternoon of the 28th, the 2nd Criminal Appeals Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Park Nosu) acquitted Jo, who was charged with fraud, just as in the first trial.

The court stated, "The original court's judgment that it was not proven that someone other than the defendant painted the works is appropriate," and added, "It is difficult to consider that the victim was deceived simply because it was not disclosed whether the paintings were painted directly by the defendant or produced using assistants." The Supreme Court precedent that acquitted Jo in a similar case was also a major basis for the judgment.

Jo was prosecuted for deceiving buyers by selling a work titled 'The Catcher in the Rye,' made with Hwatu cards, as if he had painted it himself in 2011, for 8 million won. The first trial court acquitted him, stating that the prosecution did not prove that the painting was painted by someone other than Jo.

Separately from this case, Jo was charged with receiving paintings painted by a painter named Song, whom he knew, from September 2011 to January 2015, lightly repainting them, and selling them to 17 people as if he had painted them himself, earning about 153 million won. However, the Supreme Court confirmed his acquittal last year.

At that time, the court explained, "In the transaction of the artworks in question, whether the work is an original by the artist or produced using assistants cannot be considered essential or important information for the buyers," and "The original court's judgment that it is difficult to conclude that the victims purchased the artworks under the mistaken belief that they were original works by Jo Young-nam is acceptable."

After leaving the courtroom, Jo said, "I feel proud to have proven, even in part, that contemporary Korean art is alive, and I am overwhelmed that this world-first case has been clearly resolved," and added, "Even if the prosecution appeals, it is an opportunity to show that art is alive, so I am grateful. I will have to face another confrontation," he said. He also stated, "I believe my job is to paint diligently and beautifully enough to meet expectations."

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