Cho Kuk (Korean: 조국, born 6 April 1965[1]) is a South Korean jurist and politician. From 2017 to 2019, he served as the Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs in the Moon Jae-in Cabinet. On 9 August 2019, President Moon Jae-in designated Cho as Minister of Justice, replacing the incumbent Park Sang-ki; he was officially appointed on 9 September.*
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cho_Kuk
In what appears to be a familiar pattern in South Korean politics and society, family relations of the prominent Cho Kuk, may have used his prestige to advance their own interests. His daughter is accused of not being qualified for educational opportunities and credentials she was granted by prestigious institutions allegedly based upon influence peddling. Other family members including Cho Kuk's wife and in-laws are suspected of arranging suspicious investments in a fund used to purchase real estate and to have received funds improperly. Cho has categorically denied many of the specific allegations against his daughter and wife, and claimed lack of knowledge of alleged financial transactions said to involve his wife and in laws.
Cho was recently appointed Justice Minister by the Moon Jae In administration to clean up imbalances and improper influences on the justice system in Korea. The investigation of the alleged corruption of Cho's family has dominated the South Korean headlines for weeks as investigative leads, and search warrant particulars have been leaked to the press in an effort to derail his cabinet appointment as Justice Minister. The story has dominated South Korean media distracting from other issues, including important international issues challenging the democratic Moon administration. The extensive scope and probing nature of the ongoing investigation by the prosecutor's office along with the leaks suggests internal resistance to justice reform initiatives desired by Moon, and ostensibly to be initiated by Cho. The underlying political subtext involves the loss of power and influence by the pro-Japanese commercial and political interests traditionally supported by the right wing political opposition in South Korea attempting to recover political momentum since Moon Jae In was elected.
The situation seems to have resulted in a serious backlash, as a huge candlelight demonstration took place in Seoul this morning, involving hundreds of thousands of Cho Kuk supporters and advocates for justice system reforms.*
* https://news.v.daum.net/v/20190928185345834?f=m
Some observers have claimed substantially more than a million persons may have participated. The crowd has been chanting "support Cho Kuk," and "Moon Jae In, Moon Jae In!" Signs also said "stop political prosecutors," and "investigate Liberty Korea Party." In another video of the massive demonstation, the crowd sang the patriotic national song, "holo Arirang." One poll earlier this week showed Moon's popularity rebounding to 48 percent, and democratic party support now above 40 percent, clearly a setback for conservatives. The right wing Liberty Korea Party has been calling for Cho Kuk's removal and even impeachment proceedings against Moon.
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