Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae [Newsis]
Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae [Newsis]

Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae returned all condolence money he received after his father's death, handing back the envelopes unopened to each mourner who had offered them.

According to the JoongAng Ilbo on Wednesday, attorney Ahn Hong-ryeol, 68, a classmate of Jo's from Seoul National University's law school and the Judicial Research and Training Institute's 13th class, posted a message in the law school's group chat saying that after the funeral, a protocol official from the Supreme Court called his office. "When I arrived at my office at the appointed time, they came to find me," Ahn wrote, "and returned the condolence envelope I had submitted at the reception desk."

Ahn said he had attended the funeral in person despite media reports that Jo had declined outside condolence visits and was holding a private family service. "Out of gratitude for Chief Justice Jo having come to pay his respects at my own father's funeral, I went to offer mine directly," he wrote. "Knowing his character, I thought he might not accept the money, but I prepared it just in case. The reception desk took the envelope, so I submitted it and went upstairs — then a few days later I received a call."

A condolence envelope from another law school classmate that Ahn had brought along that day was also returned in full, according to the post.

Jo's father, Jo Bu-hwan, died Aug. 30 at the age of 93. After news of the bereavement became public, the chief justice said through the Supreme Court that he wished to hold a quiet funeral with family and would not receive outside visitors. He also arranged for court staff to refrain from sending condolence money and reportedly told the Supreme Court and the Court Administration that they should "absolutely not come to pay their respects."


husn7@heraldcorp.com