SEOUL: The Supreme Court has confirmed a two-year prison sentence for Cho Kuk, leader of the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, following his conviction for academic fraud and unlawful interference with a government inspection. The ruling also includes a fine and disqualifies Cho from holding a parliamentary seat or running for presidential office for five years. According to Yonhap News Agency, the court found 58-year-old Cho guilty of exploiting his influence to secure academic advantages for his children, including university admissions. Additionally, Cho was convicted of obstructing an inspection into a corruption case during his tenure as a presidential aide. Cho's political and academic career has been marked by controversy. A former law professor at Seoul National University, he served as the senior presidential secretary for civil affairs from 2017 to 2019 under President Moon Jae-in. He briefly held the position of justice minister in September 2019 but resigned within a month amid the unfol ding scandal. The legal proceedings began with Cho's indictment in December 2019 on multiple charges, including document forgery to benefit his children's educational pursuits. The case also involved allegations that Cho received a scholarship kickback for his daughter, who was attending a medical school in Busan. Further charges were added, accusing Cho of using his presidential role to halt a bribery investigation involving a former Busan vice mayor.