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| Justice Minister nominee Cho Kuk, reads a statement of apology over a series of scandals involving him and his family during his visit to his office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Sunday. / Yonhap |
By Yi Whan-woo
President Moon Jae-in's nominee for justice minster Cho Kuk apologized Sunday for academic-related allegations involving his daughter. However, Cho said he will not withdraw from consideration, adding "I will do anything to help complete the Moon government's mission of judiciary reform."
Cho's apology came after nearly 50 percent of Koreans said in a poll that the former senior presidential secretary for civil affairs is not eligible for the ministerial job.
A presidential secretary does not need a parliamentary endorsement to begin work, but a Cabinet member does.
A series of scandals involving Cho and his family is casting a shadow over Moon's plan to have Cho, a trusted aide, spearhead judiciary reform.
The scandals range from allegations of possible fraudulent admission to universities by Cho's daughter to his dubious hefty investments in a private equity fund, and his previous involvement in a left-leaning group.
"I've sought to become a reformist, but when it comes to family issues, I have not been strict, and have rather been idle," he told the press during a visit to his office in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
He did not say any of the allegations were a breach of the law. Still he said he feels regret for making the people feel "a sense of incompatibility."
Regarding Moon's reforms, he said, "I can't irresponsibly put down the burden and get away from it just because it would make things easier for me and my family."
On Friday, Cho promised to donate all the assets in the names of his wife and children to a charity following allegations that the money was gained in an unethical manner.
He did not apologize for the allegations that his daughter was admitted to a prestigious university in Seoul after being registered as a primary writer for a pathology thesis when she was just a high school student.
In a survey released by Hankook Research, Sunday, 48 percent of 1,015 respondents said Cho was ineligible for the position of justice minister.
Another 18 percent responded he was eligible, while the remaining 34 percent answered that it was early to make a judgment.
The poll had a margin of error of 3.1 percent.
Seventy percent of the respondents said the allegations surrounding Cho's family should be verified, while another 25 percent said it was not necessary.
