Cho Kook, former Minister of Justice, who was handed over to the trial due to irregularities in the entrance examination for children and allegations of private equity funds, refused to testify by attending the trial of his spouse, Professor Kyung-Shim Chung, Dongyang University as a witness.
This is the first time that Former Minister Cho and Professor Jeong have stood in one court.
Part 25 of the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Agreement (Deputy Judge Jeong-yeop Lim, Deputy Judge Seong-soo Kwon and Sun-hee Kim) called former Minister Cho Kook as a witness in a trial against Professor Jeong in violation of the laws on the capital market and financial investment business.
After taking an oath as a witness in court, Cho said, "I am prosecuted as an accomplice of my spouse, and the trial is in progress." He said, "I will exercise the rights granted under the Criminal Procedure Act against the prosecution's newspaper."
He added, "I have emphasized the historical significance and importance of the right to reject statements, but there is a prejudice against the exercise of the right," he added. "I hope that prejudice will not work in court."
Former Minister Cho repeatedly answered all of the prosecution's questions regarding the charges of Professor Chung, saying, "I will follow Article 148 of the Criminal Procedure Act."
Article 148 of the Criminal Procedure Act stipulates that testimony can be refused if one or a relative is likely to be punished.
In response, the prosecution said, "Because the witness refused to make a statement at the time of the prosecution's investigation and said,'I will reveal the truth in the court,' I saw that the court expressed a willingness to reveal the real truth." And have accused the prosecutor."
The prosecution also said, "As (Prof. Jeong's) lawyers and witnesses say, it's time for the courts to cover up in the court. "He added.
Professor Jeong's lawyer said, “I am not sure if there is a need to explain the legitimacy to exercise the rights stipulated in the Constitution and the Criminal Law,” he said. “It is difficult to understand why the right exercise is justified, but why should be criticized.”
Former Minister Cho also tried to refute the prosecution's claim, but the court restrained that "the witness is the person who answers questions, not the person who speaks opinions."
(Photo = Yonhap News)