Prosecution Seeks 5-Year Prison Sentence for Cho Kuk on Charges of 'Admission Fraud and Cover-up of Inspection'

Prosecution: "They Do Not Even Acknowledge Clear Facts... Ignoring Evidence, No Reflection"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who was indicted on charges including admission fraud involving his children and covering up an inspection, is attending the first trial sentencing hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court on the afternoon of the 2nd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The prosecution has requested a 5-year prison sentence for former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who is on trial for charges including his children's admission fraud and covering up an inspection.

At the sentencing hearing held on the 2nd under the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21-1 (Presiding Judges Ma Seong-young, Kim Jeong-gon, Jang Yong-beom), the prosecution asked the court to impose 5 years in prison, a fine of 12 million won, and a confiscation of 6 million won.

No Hwan-jung, director of Busan Medical Center, who was also indicted for bribery by giving a scholarship to Cho's daughter, was sentenced to 6 months in prison.

The prosecution stated, "It is most regrettable that even at this point after the trial has ended, the defendants do not acknowledge even the clear facts," adding, "The defendants ignore the evidence and show no remorse, but we believe that through the trial, the truth will be revealed and a judgment consistent with common sense will be made."

Cho's trial combined three cases and proceeded simultaneously. The first trial, which lasted nearly three years, involved charges of covering up the inspection of former Busan Deputy Mayor Yoo Jae-soo, children's admission fraud, and illegal receipt of a scholarship by his daughter (bribery).

Regarding the daughter's admission fraud, Cho's spouse, former Dongyang University professor Jeong Gyeong-sim, was sentenced to 4 years in prison. Jeong was additionally indicted for her son's admission fraud, and the prosecution requested a 2-year prison sentence.

Baek Won-woo, former Blue House Civil Affairs Secretary, who was also indicted for covering up the inspection of former Deputy Mayor Yoo, was sentenced to 2 years in prison, and Park Hyung-cheol, former Blue House Anti-Corruption Secretary, was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison.

The court plans to designate a sentencing date after hearing the final opinions of both the prosecution and Cho's defense and concluding the arguments. Sentencing hearings are generally held 3 to 4 weeks after the conclusion of arguments, so the first trial's verdict could be announced within this year at the earliest.

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