Handonghun on Denial of Jeong Gyeongshim's Sentence Stay: "I Was Not Involved, but I Will Look Into It"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, stated that he would "look into it" regarding the request for suspension of sentence execution for Jeong Gyeong-sim, former professor at Dongyang University and wife of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk.

On the morning of the 1st, Minister Han responded during the National Assembly Budget Committee's comprehensive policy questioning, when Kim Young-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, asked, "The prosecution denied the suspension of sentence execution for former professor Jeong. Have you received any reports on her health condition?" He said, "(The issue of suspension of sentence execution) is handled according to the system," and added, "I have not been specifically involved, but I will look into it."

Minister Han explained, "The suspension of sentence execution is decided by the Suspension of Sentence Execution Review Committee, which is mainly composed of medical professionals," and added, "I am not sure if it is appropriate to explain details about individual inmates, but I have checked the situation."

He further stated, "At that time, the medical staff and experts understood that the suspension was deferred because the future surgery or treatment plans lacked specificity," and added, "I am not in a position to be specifically involved with the committee, so I could not investigate the situation further."

In response to Kim's additional question, "Does that mean you did not receive a detailed report?" he said, "I am not in a position to receive such reports."

Previously, former professor Jeong is currently serving a four-year prison sentence confirmed for charges including her children's admission fraud. Recently, she applied for suspension of sentence execution due to health issues such as back pain. However, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office decided not to approve this at the Suspension of Sentence Execution Review Committee meeting on the 18th of last month.

On the 31st of last month, former Presidential Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok wrote on Facebook, "Former professor Jeong is already in a serious condition with two or more ruptured discs causing severe stenosis leading to paralysis of the lower limbs, forcing her to drag her legs," and demanded, "I urge President Yoon Seok-yeol to take measures so that former professor Jeong can receive immediate surgery."

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