Seoul National University fires a former justice minister convicted of nepotism

June 13 (EUROPA PRESS) –

Seoul National University fired on Tuesday former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, a professor sentenced to two years in prison for influence peddling and nepotism in connection with the admission process for his children.

The measure comes after the Seoul Central District Court issued a sentence against Cho, who was a minister in the Administration of former President Moon Jae In, after finding him guilty of having used his influence to favor his children academically and incurring a crime of abuse of power.

Cho had already been indicted in December 2019 after he was appointed justice minister. However, he resigned 35 days after his appointment precisely as a result of the criticism received for the scandal in question, according to information from the Yonhap news agency.

His wife, Chung Kyung Sim, a former professor at Dongyang University, was also sentenced to four years in prison for forgery in connection with the university entrance documents of one of their daughters.

The former minister’s legal team has expressed its rejection of the “harsh and excessive” actions of Seoul National University after learning of the board’s decision and has specified that Cho will file an appeal to “defend his right as a professor to restore his honor as an official of the highest level.”