'Group Sexual Assault' Jung Joon-young Released After Full Sentence, How He Avoided Personal Information Disclosure and Electronic Ankle Bracelet

Jung Joon-young Not Found in 'Sex Offender Notification e' Either

Singer Jung Joon-young (35), who served a prison sentence for gang rape charges, has been released after completing his full term. Attention is focused on the reasons why he avoided public disclosure and notification of personal information, as well as wearing an electronic ankle bracelet. Jung Joon-young was released at around 5:05 a.m. on the 19th from Mokpo Prison in Jeollanam-do after serving a five-year sentence. He left the prison wearing a hat and mask, completely covering his face. Although he encountered reporters, he reportedly left the scene without saying anything.

Jung Joon-young leaving the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, after completing an investigation in March 2019.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jung Joon-young was tried on charges of gang raping women while they were intoxicated in Hongcheon County, Gangwon Province in January 2016, and in Daegu in March of the same year, along with singer Choi Jong-hoon, Mr. Heo, Mr. Kwon, and Mr. Kim, members of the so-called 'Jung Joon-young group chat.' He was also charged with repeatedly sharing inappropriate videos of women he filmed in a group chatroom over several months starting from late 2015 (violation of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act).

The first trial court sentenced Jung Joon-young to six years in prison, 80 hours of sexual violence treatment program, and a five-year employment restriction at child and youth-related institutions and welfare facilities for the disabled. However, the appellate court reduced the sentence by one year, and the Supreme Court upheld the second trial ruling.

Having served a five-year prison term, Jung Joon-young, unlike other sex offender celebrities such as Ko Young-wook, avoided public disclosure and notification of personal information and wearing an electronic ankle bracelet. This was because the court dismissed the prosecution's request for probation supervision. The disclosure of personal information of sex offenders is determined at the discretion of the court. As a result, information about Jung Joon-young cannot be accessed on the 'Sex Offender Notification e' system.

In March 2019, Choi Jong-hoon appeared at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Jongno-gu, Seoul, as a suspect to undergo investigation, responding to questions from the press. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Previously, Choi Jong-hoon, who served two years and six months in prison as a member of the 'Jung Joon-young group chat,' and Seungri, a key figure in the 'Burning Sun Gate' who served one year and six months, are also not listed on the 'Sex Offender Notification e' system.

On the other hand, Ko Young-wook, who was imprisoned for charges of sexually assaulting and forcibly molesting minors, was listed on the 'Sex Offender Notification e' system, allowing his residence and other personal information to be accessed for a while. Ko Young-wook was arrested in 2013 on charges of sexually assaulting and forcibly molesting three minors a total of four times between July 2010 and December 2012 at his officetel and car. The Supreme Court sentenced Ko Young-wook to two years and six months in prison, five years of public disclosure and notification of personal information, and three years of electronic ankle bracelet attachment in 2013. He was released in July 2015.

Go Young-wook.

Meanwhile, it seems impossible for Jung Joon-young to resume activities in the entertainment industry. Currently, Jung Joon-young is on the suspension list for all broadcasting stations, and all past videos featuring him have been deleted.