'Defamation Charges Against Jeong Gyeong-shim' Daily Newspaper Reporters Cleared of Charges

Jeong Gyeong-sim, wife of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who was indicted on charges of entrance exam fraud and private equity fund suspicions, is attending the first trial sentencing hearing held on the 23rd at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Two reporters from a daily newspaper who wrote an article claiming that Jeong Gyeong-sim, a professor at Dongyang University and wife of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, instructed Cho's fifth cousin, who was suspected of stock manipulation, to flee abroad, have been cleared of charges of defamation.

On the 16th, the Seoul Bangbae Police Station announced that after investigating the case in which Professor Jeong filed a complaint against two Segye Ilbo reporters for defamation by spreading false information, they found no evidence of wrongdoing and recently decided not to prosecute.

Previously, in September 2019, around the time of former Minister Cho's confirmation hearing, Segye Ilbo reported that Coring Private Equity (Coring PE), a private equity fund operator, was suspected of being a 'stock manipulation group,' and that Professor Jeong had instructed Coring PE officials, including Cho Beom-dong, Cho's fifth cousin, and Lee Mo, to "stay abroad."

In response, Professor Jeong filed a complaint with the police in September last year against the two reporters who wrote the article, accusing them of defamation by spreading false information.

It is reported that Professor Jeong's side has raised objections to the decision not to prosecute. When the complainant raises an objection, the police must forward the case to the prosecution.

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