
Ex-top security adviser Cho appears for questioning for 3rd time in Marine death probe
Cho, who underwent questioning by special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon's team last week and late last month, told reporters that he would faithfully take part in the session without answering their questions on the allegations.
The case centers on allegations the results of a military probe into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun in July 2023 were later changed to clear the initial suspects of responsibility. Chae died during a search mission for torrential rain victims.
Then President Yoon Suk Yeol allegedly flew into a rage upon hearing the preliminary probe results that found a senior Marine commander responsible for Chae's death during a meeting of presidential aides later that month.
Cho, who attended the meeting, has acknowledged Yoon's outburst during questioning.
Lee's team is expected to question Cho on whether he was involved in the defense ministry's move to retrieve the case from the police after Marine investigators transferred it in defiance of orders not to in August 2023. (Yonhap)

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Korea Herald
12 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Cho Kuk released after 8 months in prison under Liberation Day pardon
Cho Kuk, a former justice minister and leader of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party, was released from prison early Friday after serving eight months in jail over academic fraud involving his children and unlawful interference in a government inspection. Cho, who had previously served as a senior presidential aide to Moon Jae-in, left the Seoul Southern Detention Center in Guro-gu, western Seoul, at 12:02 a.m. Friday. He is one of the beneficiaries of a special pardon from President Lee Jae Myung granted ahead of the Aug. 15 National Liberation Day. South Korean presidents have traditionally issued pardons to commemorate important national holidays, such as Liberation Day, celebrating Korea's 1945 independence from Japanese colonial rule, to reward the good behavior of offenders and foster national harmony. The 60-year-old was put behind bars and began what was to be a two-year prison term on Dec. 16, 2024, after the Supreme Court upheld his conviction. 'My pardon, reinstatement and release will be recorded as a symbolic moment, marking the end of the prosecutorial dictatorship that has long abused its power,' Cho told reporters as he left the prison. 'The Rebuilding Korea Party fought against the Yoon Suk Yeol administration to end the prosecution dictatorship since its creation. Yoon's regime committed an anti-constitutional coup; it was repelled by the people.' He added, 'The far-right People Power Party, which still continues to protect Yoon, must face judgment once again.' Cho expressed the hope that democratic and progressive parties would work together, emphasizing that he would devote himself and contribute to this united front. He also expressed gratitude to President Lee. 'I deeply thank President Lee Jae Myung for making this constitutional decision. I listen with respect to those who have criticized my pardon,' he said. 'The Lee Jae Myung administration is created by the people's resistance and sovereignty. This administration must succeed and President Lee must become a successful president.' Cho insisted that he would accept all criticism, opposition and even slanderous remarks directed at him as he continues his political work. A total of 2,188 people with criminal convictions received a presidential pardon. Former Seoul education chief Cho Hee-yeon, who lost his seat after he was convicted of abusing his power in the process of hiring five teachers, and former Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Yoon Mi-hyang, who was handed down a suspended sentence for embezzling donations to the victims of sex slavery during Japan's colonial rule, were included among those pardoned. Though Cho Kuk was set to be barred from running for public office for five years after the completion of his two-year prison term -- meaning he would effectively be stripped of eligibility to run for office until December 2031, the presidential pardon removed the restrictions on his political activities as it restores his civil rights.


Korea Herald
14 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Ex-minister Cho Kuk set free under presidential pardon
Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk was released from prison early Friday under a presidential pardon, after serving eight months of his sentence for academic fraud involving his daughter. Cho, who founded and formerly headed the minor Rebuilding Korea Party, has been serving a two-year prison term since December for academic fraud concerning his children and unlawful interference with a government inspection. Earlier this week, President Lee Jae Myung decided to pardon Cho and his wife, Chung Kyung-sim, among others, as part of the president's special amnesty for Liberation Day. "I'd like to extend my deep gratitude to President Lee Jae Myung for making a constitutional determination," he told reporters upon his release. "I am also listening with respect to those who have been critical of the presidential pardon for me." He fired a broadside at the main opposition People Power Party and ousted conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol for his martial law bid late last year, while stressing the importance of unity in the nation's liberal bloc. Cho's amnesty, which will restore his eligibility to run for public office, is expected to have an impact on the country's political landscape, particularly ahead of next year's local elections and the next presidential race. His reinstatement as his party's member is expected next week. Once a rising star in politics under the former Moon Jae-in government, Cho was widely considered a potential presidential contender, especially after his party won 12 parliamentary seats in the 2024 general elections to become the third-largest party in the National Assembly. His political career unraveled after facing a string of corruption scandals involving his family. His wife, Chung, also received a suspended sentence for forging documents related to her son's college admission. (Yonhap)


Korea Herald
14 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Russia's Duma speaker meets N. Korea's Kim, conveys Putin's greetings: report
The chief of Russia's parliamentary lower house met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang and conveyed greetings from Russian President Vladimir Putin, a Russian media report said Friday. The meeting between Kim and Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma, took place the previous day during his visit to Pyongyang for the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese occupation, TASS reported, citing a Russian parliamentary news release. "Volodin congratulated the North Korean leadership and people on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Korean Peninsula from Japanese colonial rule on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin at a solemn meeting on the occasion of the public holiday," TASS said. Volodin also expressed gratitude to Kim for the support the North Korea people provided fighting on the Kursk frontline region in the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the report. The Russian lawmaker is visiting North Korea from Thursday to Friday with a parliamentary delegation to mark the 80th anniversary of the Korean Peninsula's liberation from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule, which falls on Friday. On Thursday, he also met with Choe Ryong-hae, chairman of the North's parliamentary standing committee, and discussed interparliamentary interaction between the countries, TASS said. (Yonhap)