Police University Crime Policy Research Institute Publishes 'Crime Network 2021'
Includes Cases of Child Abuse and Drunk Driving
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Has there ever been a year more fittingly described as 'eventful'? The 'infectious disease fear' that spread worldwide from the beginning of this year did not spare South Korea either. The confirmed patients' epidemiological investigation 'lies' became a decisive trigger for the spread of the infectious disease, and various fake news proliferated, amplifying public anxiety.
Meanwhile, various incidents and accidents continued. The late Park Won-soon, former mayor of Seoul and a leading presidential candidate, passed away, with 'sexual harassment allegations' behind it. This case is still ongoing nearly half a year later. Early this year, the Telegram 'Nth Room' case, including 'Doctor' Jo Joo-bin (25), awakened awareness of the severity of digital sexual exploitation. In addition, numerous incidents that sparked social outrage occurred, such as child abuse, controversies over the 'Min-sik Law,' and drunk driving.
The Police University Institute of Security Policy published 'Security Network 2021' on the 27th, selecting the 'Top 10 Security Issues of 2020,' which included these incidents.
The top 10 security issues selected by the institute were ▲illegal acts related to COVID-19 ▲digital sexual exploitation, Nth Room case ▲forced sexual harassment controversy and resignation of local government heads ▲intentional bicycle collision in Gyeongju child protection zone ▲confinement and murder of a 9-year-old stepson in Cheonan ▲denial of extradition of Son Jung-woo from Welcome to Video ▲drunk driving fatal accident in Eulwang-ri, Incheon ▲Incheon Ramen Brothers case ▲investigation of Digital Prison operator ▲release of child sex offender Jo Doo-soon.
Among these, the Nth Room case, Welcome to Video, and Digital Prison are all related to 'digital sexual violence.' In particular, the Nth Room case provoked public outrage due to the brutality of the crimes, with most victims confirmed to be teenagers. Alongside this, child abuse cases that sparked national anger followed. Although the top 10 issues only included the confinement and murder of a 9-year-old stepson in Cheonan and the Incheon Ramen Brothers case, there were notably many child abuse-related issues this year, such as the death of a 16-month-old adopted child in Yangcheon and the 9-year-old child abuse case in Changnyeong.
The intentional bicycle collision incident in the Gyeongju child protection zone caused significant controversy as it occurred after the enforcement of the 'Min-sik Law,' which strengthens punishment for traffic accidents causing casualties in child protection zones.
The sexual harassment allegations involving the late Park Won-soon, former mayor of Seoul, and Oh Keo-don, former mayor of Busan, went beyond simple sexual harassment to become an opportunity to reflect on 'power-based sexual crimes.' Extreme confrontations between supporters and opponents according to political leanings were also witnessed. The institute stated, "The forced sexual harassment case involving a prominent local government head and the suicide case reported to be linked to sexual misconduct sparked heated debates in the political sphere, once again highlighting the seriousness of power-based sexual misconduct among high-ranking public officials. Additionally, the issue of secondary victimization of victims, which continuously occurs in sexual crime cases, was pointed out once again."
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