1. Introduction to the text
This reading lesson discusses the recent developments in the ongoing legal case involving Chung Kyung-shim, the wife of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk. Chung has filed a lawsuit against the president of Dongyang University, alleging that the university fabricated a certificate of merit for her daughter.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 사면 | sa-myeon | pardon, amnesty | Chung Kyung-shim, the wife of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, filed a lawsuit against the president of Dongyang University. |
| 정경심 | Jeong Gyeong-sim | Chung Kyung-shim, the wife of Cho Kuk | Chung Kyung-shim, the wife of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, filed a lawsuit against the president of Dongyang University. |
| 최성해 | Choi Seong-hae | the president of Dongyang University | Chung Kyung-shim filed a lawsuit against Choi Seong-hae, the president of Dongyang University. |
| 조민씨의 | Jo Min-ssi-ui | of Jo Min, Chung’s daughter | Chung alleged that the university fabricated a certificate of merit for her daughter, Jo Min. |
| 동양대 | Dong-yang-dae | Dongyang University | Chung filed a lawsuit against the president of Dongyang University. |
| 징역 | jing-yeog | imprisonment, prison sentence | In the first trial, Chung was found guilty and sentenced to 1 year in prison. |
| 정씨는 | Jeong-ssi-neun | Chung (referring to Chung Kyung-shim) | Chung Kyung-shim filed a lawsuit against the president of Dongyang University. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
조국 전 법무부 장관의 배우자 정경심 전 동양대 교수가 최성해 동양대 총장 등을 고소했다. 정씨는 지난달 30일 서울경찰청에 최 총장과 김모 전 부총장 등 학교 관계자 8명을 증거인멸·모해위증 등 혐의로 고소했다.
Chung Kyung-shim, the wife of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, filed a lawsuit against Choi Seong-hae, the president of Dongyang University, and others. On the 30th of last month, Chung filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, accusing Choi and 8 other university officials of evidence tampering and perjury.
정씨 측은 고소장에서 ‘조민씨의 표창장 발급일에는 발급기관 어학교육원에 직원이 없어 발급 자체가 불가능했다’는 판결을 반증할 증거가 나왔다고 주장했다. 어학교육원 직원 공백기로 알려진 2012년 8·9월 직원 명의의 동양대 내부 공문이 새롭게 발견됐다는 의견이다.
In the complaint, Chung’s side claimed that they have found evidence that contradicts the court’s ruling that the certificate of merit for Chung’s daughter Jo Min was issued. They argue that newly discovered internal documents from Dongyang University show that there were no staff members present at the language education institute during the time the certificate was allegedly issued in August and September 2012.
또 “조민 표창장을 결재한 적이 없고 자료도 서류도 없다”는 최 총장의 진술도 정씨 부부를 음해하기 위한 위증이라고 했다.
Chung also claimed that Choi’s statement that he had never approved the certificate of merit for Jo Min and that there were no related records or documents is perjury intended to defame Chung and her husband.
정 전 교수는 1심에서 유죄가 인정돼 징역 1년형을 받았다. 그러나 정씨는 최근 새로운 증거를 발견했다며 재판을 요구하고 있다.
In the first trial, Chung was found guilty and sentenced to 1 year in prison. However, Chung claims to have discovered new evidence and is now demanding a retrial.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- Who did Chung Kyung-shim file a lawsuit against, and on what grounds?
- What is the main evidence that Chung’s side claims to have found?
- What is Chung’s argument regarding the statement made by the Dongyang University president?
- What was the outcome of Chung’s first trial, and what is she now demanding?
- Who is Cho Kuk, and what is his relationship to Chung Kyung-shim?
5. Cultural and historical notes
This case is part of the ongoing legal saga surrounding Cho Kuk, the former Justice Minister of South Korea. Cho and his family have faced numerous allegations of corruption and irregularities, including the issue of his daughter’s admission to a prestigious university. The current lawsuit filed by Chung Kyung-shim, Cho’s wife, is an attempt to challenge the previous court ruling and potentially clear her family’s name.