"Did Not Know About Admission Fraud," Prosecution Tells Cho Kuk, "Different Position from Daughter"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk claimed that he "did not know" about the admission fraud involving his daughter, Cho Min (32), but the prosecution stated that they hold a "different position from the daughter."

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk Photo by Yonhap News

On the 21st, a Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office official said, "The position expressed by former Minister Cho differs from the information confirmed during the investigation of Cho Min."

Earlier, Cho's lawyer denied the charges at the first appellate trial on the 17th, arguing that as a socially active father, it was difficult for him to know every detail of his daughter's actions, making it hard to consider him an accomplice in the admission fraud.

Regarding this, a prosecution official said, "Through summons investigations, we confirmed the specific intent and facts regarding Cho Min's changed position," adding, "We think there are conflicting positions on the same charges." This is interpreted to mean that unlike former Minister Cho, Cho Min somewhat admitted to conspiring with her family in the admission fraud during the prosecution's investigation.

The prosecution stated that after Cho Min withdrew the administrative lawsuits against the cancellation of her admissions to Korea University and Pusan National University Medical School, "it is necessary to confirm the specific meaning and intent," and “during the appellate trial process, we must fully hear former Minister Cho’s position on the charges.”

Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

A prosecution official said, "Considering the aspect of sincere remorse, there should be clear expressions of intent regarding the division of acts or the circumstances of conspiracy among family members who are accomplices." The statute of limitations (7 years) for the charges of obstruction of official duties by deception and use of forged documents related to Cho Min’s fraudulent application to Pusan National University Medical School will expire on the 26th of next month.

Regarding the son, Cho Won (26), the official said, "We believe Cho Won has recently shown a change in position, so we will review the necessary procedures to verify this," adding, "Having heard the positions of Cho Min and former Minister Cho, we will comprehensively consider the intent and similar cases to decide whether to indict."

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