Opposition Presidential Candidates Call the Jo Family "Shameless" Following Jung Kyung-shim's Guilty Verdict in Second Trial

Spouse of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, Professor Jung Kyung-shim of Dongyang University (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] Jung Kyung-shim, a professor at Dongyang University and wife of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who is on trial for allegations including admission fraud involving their children, was sentenced to four years in prison in the appellate court, the same as in the first trial. In response, presidential candidates from the People Power Party issued sharp criticisms toward former Minister Cho and Professor Jung.

On the 11th, former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong stated on Facebook, "The facts of the shameless Cho Kuk family case have been confirmed," adding, "Now, everything including the cancellation of admissions to Korea University and Pusan National University Medical School must be corrected. It is late, but better late than never."

Former Governor Won also emphasized, "Taking the Cho Kuk family case as an opportunity, I will ensure that 'distorted parental privileges' disappear from South Korea."

Assemblyman Ha Tae-kyung also addressed former Minister Cho on Facebook, saying, "Stop the SNS activities that continue to deceive the public with all sorts of sophistry," and added, "I hope you quietly reflect and sincerely attend your trial. That is the minimum courtesy owed to the public by someone who has served as Minister of Justice."

Assemblyman Ha demanded an apology to the public from ruling party presidential candidates Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung and former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon. He said, "Governor Lee defended the Cho Kuk family’s crimes by claiming the case was a result of prosecutorial overreach, and former leader Lee even made the absurd claim that former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl should apologize to the Cho Kuk family," adding, "They must retract their statements that deceive the public and defend criminals, and apologize to the public even now."

Kim Byung-min, spokesperson for former Prosecutor General Yoon’s campaign, released a statement saying, "Our politics must no longer be trapped in the 'Cho Kuk era,' betraying the public’s sense of fairness and common sense," and continued, "We respect the court’s ruling that no power or vested interest can be an exception in the face of admission fraud that undermines 'fair opportunities for the public,' and we urge everyone to work together to establish strict institutional reforms so that such illegal acts can never take root again."

At former Assemblyman Yoo Seung-min’s 'Hope Camp,' spokesperson Lee Ki-in said, "Now, Cho Kuk and Jung Kyung-shim must part ways with their staunch supporters who defend them and apologize. As seen in the second trial ruling, the Cho Kuk family’s deception will ultimately result in aggravated punishment," adding, "I hope this ruling leads us one step closer to a society where the cheating and privileges of the powerful are not tolerated, and where those who work diligently receive fair rewards."

Meanwhile, the court ruled, as in the first trial, that all seven major fabricated credentials related to Professor Jung’s daughter’s admission were false. Unlike the first trial, the court found her guilty of instructing evidence concealment. However, the court acquitted her of 100,000 of the 120,000 WFM shares that were previously judged as guilty in the first trial.

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