'Jodusun Escort Vehicle Roof Rampage' YouTuber's Warrant Dismissed "No Risk of Evidence Tampering"

Police Reconsider Warrant Application for Two YouTubers with Same Charges
Some YouTubers Engage in 'Filming Competition' After Jo Doo-sun's Full Release

The official vehicle carrying child sex offender Jo Doo-soon, who was released after serving his sentence, was blocked by some citizens and YouTubers while leaving the Ansan Probation Center of the Ministry of Justice in Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do on the morning of the 12th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] A YouTuber who damaged the vehicle that escorted child sex offender Jo Doo-soon (68) to his home in Incheon, Gyeonggi Province on the day of his full-term release will be investigated by the police without detention.

The Ansan Branch of Suwon District Court (Judge Park Jeong-dae, in charge of warrants) dismissed the pre-arrest warrant requested by the police on the 22nd against YouTuber A, who is accused of obstructing official duties and damaging public property.

The court explained the reason for dismissal, stating, "Considering that the residence is fixed and there is no serious prior criminal record, and that the crime charges are recognized based on the evidence currently collected with no risk of evidence tampering, it is difficult to find sufficient grounds for the necessity and appropriateness of detention."

A is accused of climbing onto the roof of the escort vehicle carrying Jo Doo-soon in front of the Ansan Probation Center of the Ministry of Justice on the 12th, the day Jo was released, and stepping on it to partially dent it.

At the time, he was investigated to have committed this act while participating in a rally opposing Jo Doo-soon's release.

The police, considering that A planned the crime, applied for a pre-arrest warrant on the 18th.

On the 13th, YouTubers competing in broadcasting near the residential area where Jo Doo-soon lives in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, Jo Doo-soon was released on the 12th after serving his full term and boarded a van around 6:50 a.m. at the Southern Prison in Guro-gu, Seoul, heading to Ansan.

It was reported that during a psychological counseling session on July 7, Jo said, "After release, I will return to Ansan where I originally lived and live without causing trouble."

As this fact became known, some YouTubers held rallies in front of the prison starting from the previous day (the 11th). They shouted at the vehicle carrying Jo Doo-soon and even ran alongside the vehicle, breaking through police barriers.

Some YouTubers even chased him to the residential area in Ansan where Jo lives. According to media reports, it is estimated that more than 150 YouTubers entered and exited the residential alley on the 12th.

There was controversy as some suggested the possibility of so-called "private retaliation."

The police planned to apply for arrest warrants against two YouTubers, including a martial artist who caused a stir by threatening private retaliation, on the same charges as A, but after A's warrant was dismissed on the 22nd, the decision on whether to apply for warrants is reportedly under review.

Meanwhile, the police have deployed officers around Jo Doo-soon's residence to prepare for unexpected situations.