'Bribery Charges' in Cho Kuk Trial... Prosecution: "Daughter's Scholarship is Bribe" vs Cho Kuk Side: "Followed Official Procedures"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who was indicted on charges including allegations of covering up an inspection and admission fraud involving his children / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The prosecution claimed that the scholarship received by Cho Min, the daughter of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, at Pusan National University was a "scholarship in name only," and that it was paid as a bribe by Roh Hwan-jung, director of Busan Medical Center, to Cho Kuk, a prominent figure in society. On the other hand, Cho Kuk’s side rebutted, stating that the scholarship was "officially granted as part of an academic encouragement measure to Cho Min, who was a 'student struggling with academic adjustment.'"

On the afternoon of the 9th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21-1 (Presiding Judge Ma Seong-yeong) held a continuation trial and conducted evidence investigation for Cho Kuk and Director Roh, who were indicted on charges including violation of the Act on the Prohibition of Improper Solicitation and Graft.

Previously, Cho Kuk was prosecuted on charges of receiving a total of 6 million KRW in bribes from Director Roh under the name of his daughter’s scholarship during his tenure as Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs from 2017 to 2018.

On this day, the prosecution argued, "Director Roh was actively willing to become Cho Min’s academic advisor," and "He knew that having a connection with a prominent figure in society would provide tangible and intangible benefits, and thus sought to establish a relationship with Cho Kuk." They also stated, "The scholarships subsequently granted were 'scholarships in name only' without any minimum principles or standards."

The prosecution added, "If Cho Kuk had not become Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, the scholarships would not have been continuously granted," and "The scope of the bribe is clear, and legally the bribery charge is evident. The fact that more than 1 million KRW was exchanged per instance also establishes the violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act." They emphasized that Cho Kuk was likely aware of this as well.

In response, Cho Kuk’s defense attorney argued, "While it is natural for other students to plan to enter society as doctors, Cho Min said she did not fit with the medical field, so Director Roh showed interest and attention by asking her to submit an academic improvement plan," and "She was a student receiving special attention, similar to a soldier under observation in the military."

Furthermore, they stated, "the scholarship was granted through official procedures as an academic encouragement measure for a student who was a first-semester repeater and academically struggling, not because she was Cho Kuk’s daughter," and emphasized, "If this is punishable, then children of public officials should be excluded from scholarship eligibility altogether. This case involves money and goods permitted by social norms, so it should be acquitted."

Cho Kuk also appeared at the trial that day and met with reporters, claiming, "I had no involvement whatsoever in the process of my daughter receiving the scholarship at graduate school," and argued that the prosecution, which cannot admit its wrongful targeted investigation, proceeded with the indictment to label him as a "bribery criminal."

He read a prepared statement, saying, "The scholarship (for my daughter) was not a merit-based scholarship but was continuously given by the academic advisor as encouragement because she struggled to adapt early in her admission." He also claimed, "The academic advisor never made any requests to me after awarding the scholarship, and I had no involvement in the selection process for the director of Busan Medical Center."

On the same day, Director Roh’s defense attorney criticized in court, "The prosecutor’s logic is that Director Roh foresaw Cho’s appointment as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs from the time Cho Min entered in 2015," calling it "the logic of 'Nostradamus'." He continued, "If he foresaw it, wouldn’t he have also foreseen the hardship and court appearances caused by giving bribes?" and emphasized, "The fact that the defendant is here in court itself indicates innocence."

The next trial for Cho Kuk and Director Roh is scheduled for 10 a.m. on the 23rd.

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