A former South Korean justice minister and his wife, both university professors, have been charged following an academic misconduct investigation tied to their children鈥檚 university applications.
Cho Kuk, the former minister who is a professor at Seoul National University, and Chung Kyung-shim, a Dongyang University professor, were indicted on multiple charges on 31 December,听the Seoul Central District Prosecutors鈥 Office confirmed to听探花视频.听
The charges听against Professor Cho, which come after months of investigation into academic misconduct, include bribery, falsifying documents and obstruction of business, the Yonhap news agency听. Professors Cho and Chung听are accused of faking听materials for their son鈥檚 application to law school and their daughter鈥檚 entry to medical school.听
Professor Cho听resigned as justice minister听on 14 October after less than two months in the role. That same day he asked to return as a professor at听SNU, which granted his request,听The Korea Herald听. He is listed on the听听as a criminal law expert.听
探花视频
The Korea Biomedical Review听听that 鈥渕edical research ethics [were] tarnished鈥 by the case, which allegedly involved the couple鈥檚 then high school-aged daughter being listed as lead author on a听Korean Journal of Pathology听study, which was later withdrawn.
鈥淭he scandal left the medical community with a daunting task of restoring trust in medical research,鈥澨The Korea Biomedical Review听wrote. 鈥淎fter the scandal, professors at the National Cancer Center were found to have put their children鈥檚 names as authors of medical journals in an attempt to unfairly boost their academic credentials. The National Academy of Medicine of Korea released a 鈥榩ublic statement on medical research ethics鈥, emphasising the conscience and education of researchers and calling for the medical community to have self-reflection.鈥
探花视频
The Korea Times听听that it was important 鈥渢o overcome ideological conflicts between left and right, which culminated in a corruption scandal involving former justice minister Cho Kuk and his family. [President] Moon [Jae-in] should not compromise his anti-corruption drive. He must put actions before words to create a fair and just society.鈥
A spokesman from the president鈥檚 office,听, questioned the motivation behind the prosecutor鈥檚 probe.听听
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