”Cho Kuk Affair” comes to an end after five years... From suspicions raised to prison sentence confirmed = Korean media

On the 12th, the South Korean Supreme Court upheld the first-instance ruling that sentenced former Fatherland Reform Party leader Cho Kuk, who was indicted on charges of cheating on his daughter's entrance exam, to two years in prison.
The "Guk Affair" case has come to an end after five years. The Supreme Court sentenced former CEO Cho, who was indicted on charges of forgery and use of private documents, obstruction of business, and violation of the Prohibition of Solicitation Act, to two years in prison and 6 million won (
The ruling upheld the first-instance ruling ordering the collection of additional debts (approximately 640,000 yen). In August 2019, during the Moon Jae-in administration, Cho, who was the Blue House's chief civil affairs officer, was nominated as a candidate for Minister of Justice.
However, before the confirmation hearing, various suspicions arose, including that his child had engaged in fraudulent entrance exams, and the prosecution launched a full-scale search and seizure operation.
Regarding this, former Chairman Cho, who was a leading advocate of prosecutorial reform in the Moon Jae-in administration, was
At the time, there was a clash between claims that Cho was a vested interest in the prosecution, which was resisting prosecutorial reform, and demands for a thorough investigation into the administration's influence.
After many twists and turns, Cho was appointed Minister of Justice, but he was unable to avoid an investigation by the prosecution and ended up resigning just 35 days after taking office.
"All of my family members were left injured and it was extremely difficult and painful," she said, revealing her feelings by saying, "I want to stop all my activities and stay close to my family to comfort and take care of them."
The prosecution further indicted Cho, and the trial continued. Cho was given a prison sentence in both the first and second trials, but he continued to stand trial without indictment for five years.
There were also suspicions that he had received special treatment for the following reasons: The Cho Kuk affair, which had stirred up much controversy, came to an end with the Supreme Court's guilty verdict on this day.
The prosecution has notified Cho to appear at the prosecutor's office by the 13th. In principle, requests to postpone his appearance are not granted, but he will be allowed to attend limited events such as life-saving treatment, family weddings and funerals.
A postponement of the sentence can be granted for up to three days for a limited reason. Cho, whose prison sentence has been finalized, will immediately lose his position as a lawmaker and will be imprisoned according to procedure. He will also be imprisoned for five years.
He was stripped of his right to run and will not be able to run in the next presidential election. At a press conference held immediately after his prison sentence was finalized, Cho said, "I humbly accept the contents of this sentence."
Kim Sun-min, a senior member of the Supreme Committee, will be appointed as the new leader of the Fatherland Reform Party. Kim said, "I will run the party unwaveringly in accordance with the party constitution and rules, and will support Yoon Seok-yeol.
"I will join in and create a big wave on the path to breaking through the government," he said.