Jung Kyung-shim: "My husband is heartbroken as all prohibited items were returned"

Former Professor Jeong Gyeongshim Posts on Cho Kuk's Facebook
"Money or Books Sent in Letters Will Be Returned"
Professor Jeong Received Over 200 Million Won in Inmate Funds During Imprisonment

Jeong Gyeong-shim, the wife of former leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, Cho Guk, who is currently incarcerated, posted a message requesting that money intended for Cho be sent via the inmate account or postal money order. On the 14th, Professor Jeong said through Cho's social networking service (SNS), "I visited (Cho) this morning and he made a special request. Letters containing money, books sent by parcel, and other prohibited items will all be returned," adding, "It is painful for those who send these items and also increases the workload for those handling the returns, so it is regrettable."

Former leader of the Innovation Party, Cho Kuk, who was sentenced to 2 years in prison by the Supreme Court on charges including 'admission fraud involving his children' and 'cover-up of Blue House inspection,' is bowing his head in greeting at a press conference held at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Professor Jeong emphasized, "Based on my long experience, money must be sent only through the inmate account or postal money order, and books can only be sent by acquaintances registered with the correctional institution," adding, "If you enclose laminated photos, postcards, any stickers, or dried leaves inside letters, everything except the letter itself will be discarded. Clothes, handmade items, snacks, handkerchiefs, stamps, etc., will also be returned if enclosed. Small calendars without springs, A4 printouts, segmented books, and printed photos are allowed to be sent by mail."

The Supreme Court's 3rd Division (Presiding Justice Eom Sang-pil) confirmed the original sentence on December 12 last year, sentencing Cho to two years in prison and ordering a fine of 6 million won in his appeal trial on charges including forgery and use of private documents, obstruction of business, and violation of the Anti-Graft Act. Consequently, Cho was imprisoned at Seoul Detention Center on December 16 last year. His scheduled release date is December 15, 2026.

On the 11th, when the 6th Citizens' Grand March organized by the Emergency Action for Social Reform demanding Yoon Seok-yeol's immediate resignation took place near Gyeongbokgung Station in Seoul, citizens lined up at a coffee truck operated with the confiscated funds received by former Jo Guk, former leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party. Photo by Yonhap News

It is reported that among Cho's supporters during his incarceration, the inmate account information is being shared. On the 10th, Professor Jeong announced the news of the Jo Guk Innovation Party's coffee sharing event in Gwanghwamun, saying, "My husband said, 'I want to express my gratitude and heartfelt thanks to those who have sent money through collective contributions, and share warm coffee with those shivering in the biting wind and snowstorm on the streets.'"

Previously, Professor Jeong was sentenced to four years in prison by the Supreme Court in January 2021 for charges including admission fraud involving her children. It is known that from January 2021 to February 2023, while serving her sentence, she received the largest amount of inmate money in history at Seoul Detention Center, totaling 241.3 million won.

According to the Ministry of Justice's regulation, the "Inmate Money Management Guidelines," the maximum amount of inmate money a prisoner can hold is 3 million won. Any amount exceeding this is transferred to a personal account opened at the detention center's bank, and unused inmate money is returned upon release.

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