"Jo Doo-soon, Leave Our Neighborhood"... Where Should Released Sex Offenders Go?

Discussion on Introducing US 'Jessica Law' Restricting Residence
Concerns Over Infringement on Freedom of Movement
Ministry of Justice Orders Research on 'High-Risk Sex Offender Recidivism Prevention Measures'

A press conference demanding the eviction of serial rapist Park Byunghwa, known as the "Suwon Balbari," was held on the morning of the 1st of last month at a one-room apartment in Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, where Park Byunghwa resided. The event was attended by Hwaseong Mayor Jeong Myeonggeun, nearby school parents, and local residents. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] There have been repeated conflicts surrounding the residences of serial sex offenders such as Park Byung-hwa and Jo Doo-soon after their release. As residents' opposition to their recidivism grows, some are even calling for restrictions on the residence of serial sex offenders.

On the 5th, a National Assembly petition demanding the eviction of serial rapist Park Byung-hwa, who is residing in Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, met the requirements and will be reviewed by the relevant standing committee of the National Assembly. This petition, which was posted on the 7th of last month, concluded with 50,000 signatures on this day. If a National Assembly petition obtains 50,000 signatures within 30 days, it is referred to the relevant committee of the National Assembly for review.

The petitioner stated, "The area where the serial sex offender relocated is an educational district densely populated with five universities and 17 elementary, middle, and high schools, threatening the safety of local students and citizens," adding, "Serial sex offenders have no human rights. Allowing them to establish residences in places where vulnerable groups to sex crimes largely reside is an act that infringes on women's right to live safely." He continued, "Furthermore, without prior consultation before release, the serial rapist and his family moved into Hwaseong City, deceiving the responsible agencies, causing citizens to live in fear," and strongly urged "the prompt eviction of the serial sex offender and admission to protective facilities."

Similarly, last month, child sex offender Jo Doo-soon gave up moving to Seonbu-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan City, Gyeonggi Province, due to opposition from nearby residents. The landlord, who learned late that the new tenant was Jo Doo-soon, requested termination of the lease contract. Jo Doo-soon and his wife Oh, currently residing in Wadong, had signed contracts in nearby Wongok-dong and Gojan-dong earlier last month, but the contracts were repeatedly canceled after their identities were revealed.

Real estate agents around Ansan City are reportedly sharing descriptions and contact information of Jo Doo-soon's wife Oh to avoid lease contracts. Facing difficulties in moving, Jo Doo-soon has requested an extension from his current landlord.

In October, serial minor sex offender Kim Geun-sik (54) also caused concern among residents when it was revealed he would enter a rehabilitation facility in Uijeongbu City, Gyeonggi Province after release, but the controversy subsided after he was re-arrested for other crimes.

Child sex offender Jo Doo-soon, who was released after serving his sentence, is entering the Ansan Probation Center of the Ministry of Justice in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of December 12, 2020. Photo by Yonhap News

Local governments and police maintain 24-hour security patrols and surveillance systems around the residences of Park Byung-hwa and Jo Doo-soon, but this is insufficient to ease residents' anxiety. Every time news of the release of serial sex offenders is announced, local residents' opposition continues, leading some to argue for restrictions on the residences of sex offenders.

In the United States, under the so-called "Jessica's Law," offenders who commit sex crimes against children under 12 years old are subject to residency restrictions that prohibit them from living within 300 meters of places densely populated by children, such as schools and parks, after release. However, this is criticized for violating constitutional freedom of movement and for being difficult to apply in South Korea, where population density is higher than in the U.S.

The Ministry of Justice commissioned a research project on "Measures to Prevent Recidivism of High-Risk Sex Offenders" on October 20th last month to devise countermeasures. This includes the possibility of introducing a system that partially restricts the residence of child sex offenders, similar to Jessica's Law.