Jung Kyung-shim "Mixed Feelings on Cho Kuk's Resignation... The Truth Will Be Revealed" Final Statement (Comprehensive Report 2)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] The prosecution has demanded a 7-year prison sentence for Jung Kyung-shim, a professor at Dongyang University and spouse of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who was indicted on charges including admission fraud involving their children and illegal investment in private equity funds. As the prosecution's sentence demand was announced, Professor Jung lowered her head and shed tears. In her final statement, she also tearfully said, "The charges will be cleared and the truth will be revealed." After more than a year of trial proceedings, the court decided to deliver the verdict on the 23rd of next month.

Professor Jeong Kyung-shim, Dongyang University Photo by Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

On the 5th, at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25-2 (Presiding Judge Lim Jeong-yeop), during the sentencing hearing of Professor Jung, the prosecution requested the court, saying, "We ask for a ruling that will serve as an opportunity to establish the rule of law." They also requested a fine of 900 million KRW related to the violation of the Capital Markets Act and an order for the confiscation of 164.61 million KRW.

In their sentencing opinion, the prosecution defined the investigation as "a case where criminal authority was exercised to uncover the substantive truth regarding allegations of corruption involving living power raised by civil society." They added, "Only crimes clearly confirmed by lawful evidence during the investigation process were prosecuted," and "the prosecuted crimes were serious and could not be tolerated or overlooked given their gravity."

The prosecution further stated, "The facts charged have been proven to the extent that reasonable doubt is excluded," and warned, "If accountability for corruption is not pursued, the rule of law in our country could fall into darkness." They expressed concern that "our country could become a criminal paradise with political and economic powers, and corruption could flourish," urging the court to examine the case strictly according to the Constitution and laws.

During the sentencing demand, Professor Jung glared at the prosecution several times but finally took off her glasses and wiped away tears with a handkerchief when the sentence was announced. Gasps were heard from the gallery, and one spectator even uttered a curse. The presiding judge detained this spectator, held a contempt trial, confiscated their gallery pass, and barred them from attending the verdict day.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

원본보기 아이콘

Professor Jung was tried on charges of falsifying or fraudulently issuing various documents, including a certificate of commendation in the name of the president of Dongyang University in 2013-2014, which were used for her daughter's admission to Seoul National University and Pusan National University medical graduate schools. She is also accused of investing under a false name in the private equity firm Kolink Private Equity (Kolink PE) to avoid public official ethics regulations after Cho Kuk was appointed Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Blue House, embezzling about 150 million KRW through a false consulting contract. Additionally, she is charged with ordering asset manager Kim Kyung-rok to remove PCs from her home and Dongyang University research lab ahead of the prosecution investigation.

On this day, the prosecution sharply criticized these charges in their final opinion. Regarding the admission fraud, they said, "The defendant couple, as university professors, had the duty to teach truth to students and lead efforts to prevent academic fraud, yet they took illegal measures beyond limits for their child's success," adding, "They undermined the core value of fairness in the admission system, causing loss and despair to many young people and their parents."

Regarding the illegal private equity investment allegations, the prosecution defined it as "a case of pursuing unfair personal gain and a new form of political-business collusion." They criticized, "The defendant invested a large sum, dreaming of becoming a building owner in Gangnam, promising massive asset growth to Cho Beom-dong," and "abused her public position to secure preferential profits from Cho Beom-dong."

On the charge of evidence tampering, they pointed out, "The defendant concealed the truth of this case, infringing on the minister's verification rights and the constitutional idea of popular sovereignty," and "At the time of Cho's appointment, she also coerced related parties to give false statements, which obstructed and infringed upon the president's right to appoint public officials."

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk [Photo by Yonhap News]

원본보기 아이콘

In her final statement, Professor Jung said, "I tried to stand calmly here today, but it is undeniable that my mind and body are very strained due to the weight of this case," adding, "Thinking about the circumstances that forced my spouse, who was appointed to public office, to resign, I have mixed feelings." She continued, "After my spouse, who was a scholar, became a public official, I tried not to cause trouble, but at one moment, our entire family became the subject of investigation and was extensively reported in the media, and I helplessly watched it unfold," saying, "During the search and seizure, my life of over ten years was stripped bare, and I fell into serious doubt about living."

Professor Jung tearfully expressed her grievance over the charge of forging the Dongyang University certificate of commendation. She said, "The prosecution's charges differ greatly from my memory," and questioned, "How could the president know about the issuance of the certificate when I never told him?" She further asked, "Why would I have thanked President Choi Seong-hae for the certificate?" and "Would President Choi have said, 'If you had applied to Kyungpook National University instead of Pusan National University, I could have fully supported you'?" Regarding the illegal private equity investment allegations, she said, "I didn't know much about private equity funds, so I asked around and tried not to cause trouble as a spouse of a public official."

Professor Jung also bowed her head to those around her who became subjects of investigation because of her. She said, "This case has completely destroyed human relationships built over decades," and "No one closely related was spared from the blade of trial." She added, "Many became subjects of investigation, and their families became targets of criticism," and "I take this opportunity to bow my head and apologize to the many acquaintances who suffered humiliation and pain."

Addressing the court, Professor Jung said, "I hope you will carefully review the materials and deliver a wise judgment so that there is no injustice." She said, "After finishing the prosecution investigation and appearing in court, I held hope," and "I hope the charges piled upon me by the prosecution will be cleared and the truth revealed. Although I am unfamiliar with the law, I hope this hope will come true."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.