Both the first and second trials resulted in a two-year prison sentence for Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, due to charges involving his child’s university admission fraud and obstruction of a Blue House investigation. If the Supreme Court upholds the original ruling, Cho will lose his parliamentary seat. However, if the case is remanded, he may become eligible to run in the presidential election.
The Supreme Court’s third division will announce its ruling regarding Cho and his spouse Jung Kyung-sim, a former professor at Dongyang University. They are accused of obstruction of business, violation of the anti-graft law, and abuse of power. Cho’s request to postpone the sentencing date has not been confirmed by the court, leaving open the possibility of a delay.
Cho was charged in December 2019 for allegations such as academic dishonesty in his child’s admission and illegal receipt of a scholarship for his daughter, Jo Min, from Pusan National University Medical School. He also faced charges related to the neglect of his blind trust obligations and false asset reporting during his tenure as a Presidential Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs. Moreover, he was accused of instructing financial staff to hide computer hard drives from investigators and halting investigations into a former public official, Yoo Jae-soo.
Both lower courts found Cho guilty on most charges and sentenced him to two years in prison with a fine of 600 million won, but he was not detained in court. Confirmation of the original ruling by the Supreme Court would lead to loss of his parliamentary seat and restrictions on his political candidacy. However, overturning the original ruling could lead to retrial and may allow him to participate in a potential early presidential election if President Yoon Suk-yeol faces impeachment.