Ex-Minister Cho reinstated to minor political party after presidential pardon
Cho Kuk, former leader of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party, burns incense to pay tribute to late President Kim Dae-jung in front of Kim's tomb during a memorial service to mark the 16th anniversary of his death at the National Cemetery in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk was reinstated to the minor Rebuilding Korea Party on Thursday and was tapped to lead its policy think tank, six days after he was released from prison under a presidential pardon.
The reinstatement came about eight months after Cho was stripped of his party membership, following a Supreme Court ruling last December that upheld a two-year prison term for academic fraud concerning his children and unlawful interference with a government inspection.
The decision to reinstate Cho was made during the party's supreme council meeting at the National Assembly, officials said.
Cho is widely expected to reclaim the party chairmanship when the party holds a national convention in November to elect a new leadership.
Since his release on Friday, Cho has also hinted at running in next year's local elections.