Kim Geun-sik Re-Arrested One Day Before Release... "Concerns Over Crime Evidence and Flight Risk"

Minor sexual assault offender Kim Geun-sik / Photo by Incheon Police Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Kim Geunsik (54), who was found to have committed additional child sex crimes before his imprisonment in 2006, was re-arrested one day before his release.

On the 16th, Song Jungho, chief judge of the Anyang branch of Suwon District Court, issued an arrest warrant for Kim Geunsik, currently imprisoned at Anyang Prison, on charges of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (forcible molestation of a minor under 13 years old).

Chief Judge Song stated the reason for issuing the warrant as "the crime is evident, and there is a risk of flight and evidence destruction."

Earlier, around 2 p.m. on the same day, Kim Geunsik departed Anyang Prison, where he is incarcerated, in a Ministry of Justice escort vehicle and arrived at the court about 20 minutes later. While still inside the vehicle, he entered the parking area within the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Anyang branch building next to the courthouse and then went into the court, avoiding exposure to the press. The hearing concluded in about an hour.

According to the prosecution, Kim Geunsik was accused by one victim of sexual violence that occurred in 2006. The victim was reportedly a minor 16 years ago. Under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, which came into effect in April 2010, the statute of limitations for Kim Geunsik's additional crimes is presumed not to have expired yet.

With the issuance of the arrest warrant following the detention hearing, he is expected to undergo prosecution investigation while remaining in custody.

The statute of limitations for sexual assault cases involving minors is newly defined to start from the day the victim reaches adulthood. If the victim was under 13 years old at the time, the statute of limitations does not apply. Considering these points, the prosecution judged that the statute of limitations for Kim Geunsik's additional crimes has not yet been completed and requested the arrest warrant.

Originally, if Kim Geunsik were to be released as scheduled, he was to stay at the Gyeonggi Northern Branch of the Korea Rehabilitation Welfare Corporation. In response, Uijeongbu City, where the Gyeonggi Northern Branch is located, strongly opposed his entry.

However, with Kim Geunsik's re-arrest on this day, the ongoing social controversy is expected to come to a close for the time being.

Kim Geunsik was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually assaulting 11 female students from elementary to high school in Incheon and the Gyeonggi area between May and September 2006. During his imprisonment, his sentence was extended by one year due to involvement in two assault incidents.