Cho Kuk Outraged by Chosun Ilbo Illustration: "I Want to Ask the Media... How Can You Do That Wearing a Mask?"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who has been indicted on charges including allegations of covering up an inspection and admission fraud involving his children, is attending a trial held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 25th. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk expressed anger over the recent controversy surrounding an illustration published by the Chosun Ilbo, which he appeared in relation to his college admission fraud trial, stating, "I will definitely hold them legally accountable."

On the 25th, Cho appeared at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21-1 (Presiding Judge Ma Seong-young, Kim Sang-yeon, Jang Yong-beom) for the trial concerning admission fraud involving him, his wife, and Roh Hwan-jung, director of Busan Medical Center.

Upon arriving at the court, he did not answer reporters' questions but asked, "I want to ask the reporters and media personnel who insulted and mocked me and my family in an extremely partisan and despicable manner, how can you do such things while wearing a mask?"

The Chosun Ilbo has sparked public outrage by using an illustration created from photos of former Minister Cho and his daughter Cho Min in an article about sexual crimes. It was also confirmed that the media outlet inappropriately used illustrations of President Moon Jae-in in four unrelated articles. The Chosun Ilbo apologized for the controversy the day before.

It appears that former Minister Cho prepared his statement in advance, anticipating facing reporters before the trial that day.

Meanwhile, former Minister Cho and his wife, along with their daughter Cho, appeared together at the trial. The couple sat in the defendant's seats, while Cho Min sat in the witness stand. The defense attorney, who had criticized the joint trial of the couple as a form of "public humiliation," opposed the decision to summon the daughter as a witness, but the court judged that questioning Cho Min, who is directly involved in the admission fraud, was necessary.

Cho Min can refuse to testify even if she appears as a witness. According to Article 148 of the Criminal Procedure Act, a witness may refuse to testify about matters that could result in punishment for themselves or their relatives.

Former Minister Cho also appeared as a witness at the first trial of Professor Jeong Gyeong-sim in September last year and refused to answer all of the approximately 300 questions.

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