Recently, the relocation of the convicted sex offender Cho Doo-soon (72 years old) to a new residence within the same neighborhood has sparked public outrage in South Korea, simultaneously intensifying calls for legal reforms to restrict high-risk offenders.
Cho was imprisoned for 12 years following the brutal assault of an 8-year-old girl in 2008, a crime that horrified the entire nation and left deep scars on the local community. Since his release in 2020, he has been under constant police surveillance.
Recently, Cho has moved to a new residence just 2 kilometers away in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, according to local media.
The Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency announced that they received notification from the Ministry of Justice on October 25 regarding the change of Cho’s residence.
This relocation was reportedly due to the expiration of his previous rental agreement, causing distress and concern within the community. Local residents, particularly parents, are worried about Cho living near schools, parks, and family-oriented areas.
In response to public concerns, local authorities have increased security measures. The police stated that they have established a monitoring system at Cho’s new residence, which includes 35 surveillance cameras, enhanced patrols around the neighborhood, and a plan to move a security center closer to this high-risk offender’s new location.
A police officer told Korea JoongAng Daily: “The security center previously stationed here is currently being relocated, but the monitoring system will still be maintained around Cho’s new residence. We have plans to move the security center specifically after assessing the appropriate location.”
However, these actions have not alleviated the concerns of local residents. Many feel that the increased police presence does not address the underlying issue of Cho’s right to live in the community.
Residents in Ansan have voiced their opposition to Cho’s presence, with many parents expressing a desire for him to move elsewhere. Protests and petitions in the local area are demanding stricter laws regarding such high-risk offenders.
The increasing public outrage stems from the fact that Cho has violated the conditions of his parole, including strict surveillance and frequent check-ins, multiple times since his release. In March, he was sentenced to three months in prison for breaching his parole conditions.
The case of Cho Doo-soon has ignited intense debate over South Korea’s legal system concerning high-risk offenders.
While offenders like Cho may be subjected to strict surveillance, the current system lacks the necessary framework to effectively manage individuals living near schools or parks.
A new bill has been proposed in the National Assembly of South Korea, aiming to classify certain high-risk offenders as “dangerous†who should be restricted from living in areas deemed sensitive, such as school zones.
<spanUnder current South Korean law, courts can categorize offenders as high-risk if they have been sentenced to 10 years or more for violent sexual offenses against minors under 13 or have been convicted of multiple sexual offenses.
Source: SCMP
