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Scandal-hit justice minister steps down

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By Jung Min-ho

Justice Minister Cho Kuk stepped down on Monday amid an intensifying investigation into a corruption scandal involving him and his family members, which caused a sharp drop in President Moon Jae-in's approval ratings.

Cho announced his resignation at 2 p.m. in a statement, three hours after he revealed plans to reform the prosecution system.

Since his appointment in September, hundreds of thousands of people have held street rallies in Seoul to protest -- or support -- the decision.

Meanwhile, prosecutors have been investigating whether his wife forged a college presidential citation to help her daughter enroll in a medical school, among many other allegations.

Under his leadership, the Ministry of Justice has pushed the reforms, including improving oversight of prosecutors' investigations, barring overly prolonged or late interrogations and limiting investigations from spilling into other probes.

Just three hours earlier, Cho held his second-ever press briefing as a justice minister on measures to reform the prosecution.

Cho stressed the importance of reforming the prosecution.

"The government's power comes from the people. No power can stand above the people. An organizational culture that is for the people and that is people-centric should be established at the prosecution," he said.

In the statement indicating his resignation offer, Cho mentioned the ongoing probes of his family.

"I felt apologetic to the people regarding the ongoing probes of my family but put in my best each day as justice minister to reform the prosecution. But now my role has come to an end," he said.

"Now I will put everything down and take care of my family, who are going through the toughest and most painful time of their lives."

Cho's family, including his wife, daughter and son, have been questioned by the prosecution several times regarding suspicions over the family's private equity investment and college admission.

A court procedure involving his wife, a university professor surnamed Chung, is scheduled to start Friday.


Jung Min-ho mj6c2@koreatimes.co.kr


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