Minor Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk, whose convictions for academic fraud and unlawful interference in a government inspection were upheld by the Supreme Court on Thursday, said he accepts the court decision “with a heavy heart.”

At a press conference after the top court upheld his two-year prison term, Cho said although he has things to say about the court’s decision and its application of legal principles, he humbly accepts it and will fulfill his duty as a law-abiding citizen.

The minor party leader said his temporary departure from politics does not indicate the retreat of his party but that it will firmly move forward, not forgetting where it started or where it is headed.

Cho also promised to return to politics stronger than before in a new, better Republic of Korea.
 
Earlier, Cho was convicted of using his influence to obtain academic favors for his children and interfering with a state inspection into a corruption case as a presidential aide during the former Moon Jae-in administration.

The decision automatically strips Cho of his parliamentary seat and his right to run in elections for the next five years.