South Korean justice minister Cho Kuk quits after corruption scandal provoked mass protests
- Since Cho’s appointment, huge crowds have taken to the streets – both against and in support of the former law professor
- Cho is the subject of investigations into his family’s financial investments and the university admissions of his children
Cho’s relatives have been at the centre of probes involving educational privileges allegedly granted to his children, and also investments in an equity fund suspected of dubious operations.
Cho’s wife Chung Kyung-sim, a university professor, has been indicted for allegedly forging a college award for their daughter, with a trial slated to begin on Friday. His two children have also been questioned by prosecutors.
Supporters claim Cho’s family has been unfairly targeted by prosecutors because of his promise to reform the investigative agency. Cho, a law professor who for years cultivated an image as an anti-elitist reformist, has denied wrongdoing.
“I have endured day after day trying to fulfil my duty to reform the prosecution,” Cho said in a statement on Monday. “I decided I must not burden the President and the government with my family’s affairs any more. I believe that now is the time for me to step down so that reforming the prosecutor’s office will be successfully completed.”
President Moon accepted Cho’s resignation and said he was “sorry for division” his appointment had caused. But he noted Cho had dutifully carried out his mission during his 35-day stint and stressed the importance of following up on Cho’s unfinished work.