Prosecutors extend detention of ex-justice minister’s wife

On Thursday, prosecutors extended the detention of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk’s wife, Chung Kyung-shim, for another 10 days. Detained Oct. 23, she was to be in custody until Friday, but will not be released until after Nov. 11.

Chung faces 11 charges, including fabricating a document to support her daughter’s university application, obstructing business, insider trading, embezzlement and withholding evidence.

Prosecutors have questioned Chung three times since her arrest. She has denied most of the charges. Chung has already been indicted for forging a document to rig her daughter’s college admission. Prosecutors are expected to push for indictment on the other charges in the next few days.

On Thursday, prosecutors also arrested Cho Kuk’s younger brother, Cho Kwon, on charges of embezzlement and bribery at a school foundation run by the Cho family. He faces other charges, including obstructing business, withholding evidence and harboring a fugitive.

A local court had earlier refused to issue a warrant for his arrest, saying his charges were disputable and that he suffers from ailing health. This time, the court sided with prosecutors.

Meanwhile, prosecutors are reportedly preparing to summon former Justice Minister Cho Kuk shortly to question him over corruption allegations involving his family.

By Choi Si-young (siyoungchoi@heraldcorp.com)