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Cho Kuk

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In thisKorean name,the family name isCho.
Cho Kuk
조국
Official portrait, 2019
Leader of theRebuilding Korea Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
March 3, 2024
Preceded byOffice established
Member of theNational Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 30, 2024
ConstituencyProportional representation
Minister of Justice
In office
September 9, 2019 – October 14, 2019
PresidentMoon Jae-in
Preceded byPark Sang-ki
Succeeded byKim Oh-soo(acting)
Choo Mi-ae
Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs
In office
May 11, 2017 – July 26, 2019
PresidentMoon Jae-in
Preceded byCho Dae-hwan[ko]
Succeeded byKim Joe-won[ko]
Personal details
Born(1965-04-06)April 6, 1965(age 59)
West District,Busan,South Korea
CitizenshipSouth Korean
Political partyRebuilding Korea Party
Other political
affiliations
SpouseChung Kyung-shim
Children2, includingCho Min
Alma materSeoul National University(LLB,LLM)
University of California, Berkeley(JSD)
OccupationJurist, activist, politician
Signature
Korean name
Hangul
조국
Hanja
Revised RomanizationJo Guk
McCune–ReischauerCho Kuk

Cho Kuk(Korean:조국;born April 6, 1965[1]) is a South Korean politician who has served as a member of theNational Assemblysince 2024. The founder and leader of theRebuilding Korea Party,[2]Cho served asMinister of Justicefrom September to October 2019 and as Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs from 2017 to 2019 in theMoon Jae-in Cabinet.

In 2019, Cho Kuk was involved in a series of controversies, including allegations of corruption surrounding his family's business activities. On October 14, in the wake of these controversies, Cho Kuk announced his resignation.[3]In 2023, Cho was convicted of falsifying documents for his children's college admissions and sentenced to two years in prison.

Early life and education

[edit]

Cho was born inWest DistrictofBusan[4][5]in 1965,[1]as the eldest son of the ex-Director of Ungdong Middle School[6]Cho Byun-hyun (died in 2013),[6]and his wife and the current Director of the institute, Park Jung-sook.[1][7][8]He attended Gudeok Elementary School in Busan, then moved to Seoul and studied at Daesin Middle School. After he returned to Busan, he finished his secondary education at Hyekwang High School.[5]

Cho earned bachelor's and master's degrees in law fromSeoul National University,[5][4][1]and a doctoral degree (J.S.D) from theUniversity of California, Berkeleyin theUnited States.[5][1]He was also a visiting scholar at theUniversity of Oxford[4]andUniversity of Leeds[4]in theUnited Kingdom.

Cho was previously a lecturer in law at theUniversity of Ulsan[4]from 1992[1]to 1994 and from 1999 to 2000,[9]then atDongguk University[4]from 2000 to 2001,[9]and later at Seoul National University—where he had earned his bachelor's degree—from 2001 to 2004.[9]While at Seoul National University, he was promoted from lecturer to senior lecturer (2004–2009),[9]then to full professor in 2009.[9][5][10][11]

Political career

[edit]

Cho showed interest in politics at the end of the 1980s, while studying at university.[1]During this time, he was already a member of theSouth Korean Socialist Workers' Alliance,[1][7]along withRhyu Si-minandEun Su-mi.Cho was detained due to his activities, under breach of theNational Security Act,and declared aprisoner of consciencebyAmnesty International.[1]Later, he criticised the National Security Act as a "barbaric law" in his book titledFor the Freedom of Conscience and Ideology.[12]

Since the 2000s, Cho has been involved in various activities related to human rights and democracy. He was a member of thePeople's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy,[4][9]Committee of Determination of Punishment inSupreme Court,[13][4]National Human Rights Commission,[4][9]and the other various organisations.

Cho has never held any elected position,[1]even though the formerDemocratic Party[14]and its successorDemocratic Unionist Party[15]suggested that he run for a position as member of theNational AssemblyinBundang2nd constituency.[1]There were also expectations that Cho would run for Superintendent of Education in Seoul during thelocal elections in 2014,but he declined.[16][1]He did not run for mayorship of Busanin 2018,despite public expectations.[1]

Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs, 2017–2019

[edit]
Cho Kuk in 2015

On May 11, 2017, the day after Moon Jae-in officially assumed the office of president, Cho was appointed Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs.[17][1]He was one of several non-prosecutors appointed to the position.[17][18]He promised a clear investigation of the2016 South Korean political scandal.[17]This was welcomed by thePeople's Party,[19]but also attacked by theLiberty Korea Party.[20][8]

On December 31, 2018, Cho attended the House Steering Committee of the National Assembly.[1]This "surprise" attendance was an issue in South Korean society, as such was not really done by former senior secretaries.[1]A source reported that this negatively affected the approval ratings of President Moon.[21]

Cho was replaced by Kim Joe-won on July 26, 2019.[22]

Minister of Justice

[edit]

On August 9, 2019, Cho was nominated for the position of Minister of Justice[7][23]replacing Park Sang-ki, by President Moon. He quoted GeneralLee Soon-shinand promised political reform.[23]On September 9, Cho was officially appointed Minister of Justice.[24]Cho subsequently resigned on October 14, just 35 days after taking office due to a prosecution probe into various allegations surrounding his family.[25]

Political orientation

[edit]

Cho is often regarded as liberal,[1]or a left-wing politician.[26][27][18]Regarding the abolition of the death penalty, he said, "I understood the national sentiment, but it should be replaced with life imprisonment."[28]He also mentioned that people should not argue with the criminality of abortion.[29]

For issues related to theKorean Confederation of Trade Unions(KCTU), Cho announced that the government is not only for KCTU and impossible to satisfy their demands.[30]

Cho also claims that the government should induce major companies to lower their salary, to enforce equality between workers in major businesses and workers in smaller businesses.[31]

Controversies

[edit]

In his political career, Cho Kuk was embroiled in a number of scandals, including plagiarism and tax delinquencies. More significant scandals came from his pending nomination as the Minister of Justice, mainly concerning Cho Kuk's illicit business activities and falsification of academic achievements of his daughter,Cho Min.

Leaders of Seoul National University's General Student Council chant slogans during a rally at the school campus in Seoul on September 5, 2019, to voice their objection to the possible appointment of Cho Kuk, who is facing allegations of ethical lapses.

There are numerous other allegations of corruption under public scrutiny.

Plagiarism

[edit]

Cho was frequently accused of plagiarism.[1][7][32]In July 2013, Song Pyung-in ofThe Dong-A Ilboand a conservative commentatorByun Hui-jaehad mentioned that Cho plagiarized several theses written by Japanese scholars during his studies at Seoul National University in 1989.[33][34][35]He replied that he underwent some problems with citations, although "unsure because it was long time ago", but then he apologized for it. On June 26, 2015, Seoul National University answered for the issue: some issues were found, which are not too serious.[36]

A few months after the incident, both commentators claimed again that Cho's plagiarism continued at Berkeley in 1997.[37][38]In response, ProfessorJohn Yoosaid that no rechecking is required.[39]Berkeley also mentioned that there was no proof for the accusations.[40]

Tax delinquencies

[edit]

Cho faced another criticisms regarding tax delinquencies related to the Ungdong Institute.[1][7]It was reported that he and his family did not pay legal costs for 3 years.[1]He accepted that this was true, and made all necessary payments.[1][7]

Allegations of illicit business activities

[edit]

In 2017, it was revealed that Cho Kuk and his family invested a total of approximately 1.4 billion KRW, with a contract to invest an additional approximately seven billion KRW, into a private equity fund, CO-LINK.[41]CO-LINK invested in a Korean company that is contracted in a multi-billion dollar computer network project in South Korea.[42]On August 27, 2019, a search warrant was carried out by the prosecutor's office on suspect sites. On August 29, the former wife of Cho's younger brother Cho Kwon, Cho Eun-hyang, who is listed as the owner or CEO of many of Cho Kuk's family businesses and properties, was denied boarding on an international flight out ofGimhae International Airport.[43]Despite two full days of news reports, she claimed she was not aware of the flight ban placed on her.[43]Furthermore, three other business associates of Cho Kuk's family, including a Cho Kuk relative, had already left the country before the ban was officially placed on them.

Kim Gyung-yul and his team of accountants and economic analysts ofPeople's Solidarity for Participatory Democracycame to a conclusion that this is a crime involving political power.[44]

On October 31, Cho Kuk's younger brother, Cho Kwon, was arrested on charges of embezzlement and bribery.[45]These charges were later dropped.[46]

Falsification of academic achievements of Cho Min

[edit]
Main article:Cho Min academic credentials scandal

Cho Min, and her parents Cho Kuk and Chung Kyung-sim, have been accused of falsifying her academic achievements to gain admission into prestigious universities and themedical school.Falsified academic achievements include her research in genetics and pathology, one which has since been retracted for violation of ethical guidelines.[47]A senior association of medical experts in South Korea condemned the paper as one of the most serious cases of academic misconduct in South Korean history and compared it to theHwang Woo-sukscandal.[48]

On December 31, 2019, Cho was indicted on 12 charges over his role in his children's college admissions, including for bribery and corruption, but was not detained. In January 2020, Cho was removed from his teaching position at Seoul National University. In February 2023, Cho was sentenced to two years prison for falsely submitting documents attesting that his son had completed an internship and forging his daughter's academic credentials. In June 2023, Seoul National University expelled him from their faculty of law.[49]

Arrest of Chung Kyung-sim

[edit]

On September 10, 2019, shortly after Cho Kuk's nomination hearing, his wife, Chung Kyung-sim, was officially indicted for forgery of a document by the prosecutor's office. When asked what should happen should his wife face charges, Cho replied that she should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. He did not add that he would withdraw or resign from the nomination.[50]

On October 24[51]Chung Kyung-sim was charged on 15 counts, including obstruction of business, insider trading, embezzlement, and withholding evidence. On December 23, 2020, she was found guilty on 11 charges, and sentenced to four years in prison and a total of ₩638 million (equivalent to around $500,000 US) in fines and "unlawful gains".[52]The embezzlement charges were dismissed.[53]The sentence was upheld by the supreme court on January 27, 2022.[54]

Books

[edit]
  • Sex-biased Criminal Codes(March 1, 2001)
  • For the Freedom of Conscience and Ideology(August 30, 2001)
  • Prostitution(February 1, 2004)
  • Hearsay Rule of Illegally Acquired Evidences(March 20, 2005)
  • Plea-bargaining – Introduction Planning and Studies(2006)
  • Introspecting Liberals(March 24, 2008)
  • Hymn of Bonobo (How to survive as human in jungle-capitalist Korea?)(May 11, 2009)
  • We're Telling You, South Korea – Our Homelands(January 3, 2011)
  • Why am I studying law?(June 15, 2014)
  • Criminal Law for Self-control(December 25, 2014)

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstu"[Who Is?] 조국 청와대 민정수석".January 17, 2019.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  2. ^"New political parties brace for upcoming elections".The Korea Times.March 3, 2024.RetrievedMarch 4,2024.
  3. ^"Justice Minister Cho Kuk resigns over corruption allegations".Yonhap News Agency.October 14, 2019.
  4. ^abcdefghi진보집권플랜: 오연호가 묻고 조국이 답하다.November 5, 2010.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  5. ^abcde"[프로필]조국 청와대 민정수석비서관".May 11, 2017.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  6. ^ab"[부음] 조변현 씨 별세, 조국 조권 씨 부친상".July 30, 2013.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  7. ^abcdef조국 검증대에… 야당, 54억 재산ㆍ자녀 외고 진학 등 공세 예고.August 9, 2019.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  8. ^ab웅동학원 비판한 자유한국당, 역풍에 나경원 휘청.May 12, 2017.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  9. ^abcdefg조국.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  10. ^조국 "송민순, 전직 장관이 중요 문건 마음대로 공개하는 이유는..".April 21, 2017.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  11. ^조국 "안철수 'MB 아바타'·'갑철수' 정치적으로 최악의 질문".April 24, 2017.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  12. ^""피고 국가보안법의 폐지를 선고합니다"…청년 역할극 ".December 1, 2017.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  13. ^대법원, 2기 양형위원회 출범.May 7, 2009.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  14. ^상품가치 높아지는 조국, 몸 다는 dã.March 24, 2011.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  15. ^"[뉴스A]단독/한명숙, 공천심사위원장에 조국 교수 영입 추진".January 17, 2012.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  16. ^조국 교수, 내년 선거 출마 의사·능력 모두 없다면서….November 28, 2013.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  17. ^abc"Thanh 민정수석에 phi 검찰 출신 조국 내정..인사수석엔 여성 조현옥".May 10, 2017.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  18. ^ab"[클로즈업] 법무장관 조국, 비( phi )검찰 출신의 개혁 사령탑...강남좌파 지적도".August 9, 2019.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  19. ^정윤회 문건, 박지원 "백번 천번 옳은 말, '정의로운 수사' 필요해".May 13, 2017.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  20. ^자유한국당 "Thanh 민정수석, 정윤회문건 수사 재검토 재고하라.May 14, 2017.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  21. ^조국 국회출석 통했나? 문 대통령 국정 지지율 반등.January 3, 2019.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  22. ^조국 후임 김조원 "잘못땐 지적해달라".July 26, 2019.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  23. ^ab조국 또 이순신 언급, "서해맹산의 정신으로 소명 완수".August 9, 2019.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  24. ^"South The Korean president appointed the justice minister despite scandals".CNA.Agence France-Presse. September 9, 2019.RetrievedOctober 5,2019.
  25. ^김, 계연 (October 14, 2019)."[3보] 조국, 취임 35일만에 사의…" 저는 검찰개혁 불쏘시개 "".Yonhap News Agency(in Korean).RetrievedApril 12,2020.
  26. ^"[김순덕 칼럼]분당우파 vs 강남좌파".March 20, 2011.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  27. ^이언주 "조국 나오면 당연히 붙어야...강남 좌파의 시대 끝났다".April 22, 2019.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  28. ^유영철·강호순 등 사형 대기자 61명, 이영학 집행은?.February 21, 2018.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  29. ^여성 몸 통제하던 '낙태죄', 66년 만에 위헌 결정.April 11, 2019.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  30. ^조국 "민주노총만의 정부 아냐…함께 반보 내딛자".November 24, 2018.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  31. ^"[월요칼럼] 기득권의 논리에 포획당한 민주주의 /이택광".November 26, 2018.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  32. ^조국 지명에 dã 반발… "조국 파이터 골라 청문회 투입".August 9, 2019.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  33. ^"[송평인 칼럼]조국 교수의 표절".July 19, 2013.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  34. ^"[단독] 조국 교수, 석사논문 표절에 병역문제까지".July 13, 2013.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  35. ^조국 석사논문, ngày 법학책 33군데 출처 안 밝히고 베꼈다.Choson Online.RetrievedApril 14,2021.
  36. ^서울대 "조국 교수 석사논문 연구부정행위 없다".June 26, 2015.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  37. ^"[송평인 칼럼]'표절 의혹' 조국 박사논문 읽어보니".November 7, 2013.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  38. ^"[단독] 조국 교수, 전문박사논문도 표절논문".September 29, 2013.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  39. ^""버클리대 로스쿨" 조국 교수 논문 찬사 "vs 의심 변희재" 재심 요청 """.September 27, 2013.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  40. ^조국 서울대 교수 박사논문 표절 제보 "근거없다" 결론.November 13, 2013.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
  41. ^"75억 약정한 사모펀드, 100% 조국 가족펀드로 드러났다".
  42. ^조국펀드 투자사, 서울 전철 이어 전국 버스 와이파이 사업 따냈었다.July 17, 2020.
  43. ^ab조국 동생 전처, 김해공항서 출국하려다 제지당해.August 29, 2019.RetrievedAugust 29,2019.
  44. ^""조국펀드 권력형 범죄인 듯… 참여연대, 증거 갖고있다"".July 17, 2020.
  45. ^"Prosecutors extend detention of ex-justice minister's wife".The Korea Herald.November 1, 2019.
  46. ^Minji, Lee (September 18, 2020)."Ex-justice minister's brother sentenced to 1 year in jail".Yonhap News Agency.RetrievedAugust 28,2023.
  47. ^Cho, Min; Hyun, Kwang Sun; Chung, David Chanwook; Choi, In Young; Kim, Myeung Ju; Chang, Young Pyo (2009)."ENOS Gene Polymorphisms in Perinatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy".The Korean Journal of Pathology.43(4): 306–311.doi:10.4132/KoreanJPathol.2009.43.4.306.(Retracted, seedoi:10.4132/jptm.2019.09.06,PMID31537052,Retraction Watch)
  48. ^의학한림원 "조국 딸 제1저자 논문, 황우석 사태와 맞먹는 심각한 부정".July 17, 2020.
  49. ^Park, Jun-hee (June 13, 2023)."Seoul Nat'l Univ. sacks disgraced ex-justice minister".The Korea Herald.RetrievedJune 13,2023.
  50. ^Korea Times, September 11, 2019, Chosunilbo, September 10, 2019
  51. ^조국 전 법무부 장관 부인 정경심 교수 구속[Former Justice Minister's wife Prof. Chung Kyung-shim arrested].The Hankyoreh.October 24, 2019.
  52. ^"Chung Kyung-sim gets four years in jail".December 23, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on December 24, 2020.
  53. ^"[Editorial] Regarding the court's verdict against Chung Kyung-shim".The Hankyoreh.RetrievedAugust 28,2023.
  54. ^"[Newsmaker] 4 years prison confirmed for Cho Kuk's wife on academic fraud".The Korea Herald.January 27, 2022.
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Justice
2019–2020 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs
2017–2019 		Succeeded by
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