South Korea indicts former Justice Minister Cho Kuk on several charges

Former justice minister and confidant of President Moon Jae-In Cho Kuk and his wife were indicted by South Korean prosecutors on December 31 on a dozen charges including bribery. Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office also charged m of using ir position to gain missions for his children. Cho Kuk resigned from his position two months ago over a scandal involving family investment and university missions for his children. Critics to media earlier raised doubts over appointment of minister as he was chosen by Moon Jae-In and could be under political pressure.

Re: Ex-South Korea Coach Shin To Take Over Struggling Indonesia

Prosecutors have claimed that Cho while serving as Moon’s senior secretary for civil affairs in 2017, abused his power by blocking a government inspection into corruption allegations surrounding former Financial Services Commission Director-General Yoo Jae-soo, ar official close to Moon’s ruling party.

Re: China, Japan, South Korea Meet As rth Korean Threat Looms

Cho Kuk dismisses allegations

Cho Kuk will t be taken into custody and will remain free as he stands trial. Earlier in October, his wife Chung Kyung-shim, who is a university professor, was arrested on same charges. South Korean news ncy quoted him as saying prosecutors h handed down “a political indictment based on ir imagination and fiction”.

In an earlier statement, Cho told reporters, "I have been enduring an endless investigation by prosecution targeting my family. It has been a harsh time”.

Re: South Korea, US Forces Practice Raiding Enemy Facilities As rth Korea Tensions Rise

Cho resigned as Justice Minister within a month

Moon-Jae-In came to power in 2017 promising to clean up corruption after weeks of large street protests led to impeachment of predecessor Park Geun-Hye. re were street protests for and against president hitting his public support ratings after Cho's appointment. Just n, Cho stepped down in October after one month in office, saying graft scandal around his family h become a political burden for Moon’s government.

Re: China, South Korea Look To Improve Ties With Beijing Summit

(With inputs from Associated Press)