Legal representatives of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk's wife, who was sentenced to four years in prison in an academic fraud scandal on Wednesday, have vowed to appeal the court ruling. 

Kim Chil-jun, a lawyer for Chung Kyung-sim, revealed the plan in a meeting with reporters after hearing what he called an “embarrassing” and “disappointing” verdict. 

Kim said he cannot agree with the court's decision and added that many presumptions and suppositions they have sought to fight in the investigation process have been repeated in the ruling. 

He further questioned the impartiality of the court judgment, speculating it may have been biased against their efforts to fend off overwhelmingly negative public opinions of the accused and to reveal the truth. 

Prosecutors handling the case, meanwhile, issued a statement expressing their respect for the verdict and thanking the judging panel for its deliberations. 

They also vowed to do their best in the remaining legal battle so they will be able to achieve results that correspond to “crimes and responsibilities.” 

Chung, a professor at Dongyang University, was indicted in November last year on 15 counts of fraud related to her daughter's college admission and dubious investments in a private equity fund. 

She has been found guilty on all counts of academic fraud while being partially convicted on charges related to violating capital market laws and destruction of evidence. 

The case has drawn a tremendous amount of public attention and criticism as many view it as a typical example of the so-called “parental chance,” or the use of status, money and power by the privileged class for their children, while the defendant’s supporters suspect it is part of efforts by the prosecution and opposition politicians to derail and disparage prosecution reform pursued by former justice minister Cho.