18-year-old Kim, who associated with delinquent youth,
"Please extend probation," she requests
In a handwritten letter, "Please watch over me"
A story has emerged about a teenage girl who became a probation subject after running away from home and drinking alcohol while associating with delinquent youths, and who requested the judge to extend her probation period.
On the 1st, Yonhap News reported, "Kim (18), who was sentenced to two years of probation in 2022 for drinking and engaging in delinquent behavior, wrote a handwritten letter to Uijeongbu District Court requesting an extension of her probation period before the release date." Probation is a system designed to manage and rehabilitate juvenile offenders. During this period, personal freedom is restricted according to the grade, and various educational programs implemented by the Ministry of Justice must be compulsorily attended. Because of this, most juvenile offenders hope their probation period will end quickly.
In her letter, Kim wrote, "There have been many big and small incidents from my immature middle school days until now, but I feel that I have grown a lot and changed." She added, "I used to neglect my studies and had no career path, but I recently took and passed the qualification exam and have found a job I want."
She continued, "During the time I spent interacting with my teachers, I felt great gratitude and respect, and I also wanted to help and guide someone." She said, "My goal during the rest of my youth is to achieve the scores I want and go to college." Kim added, "During the one-year extension of my probation, I will work part-time to support myself financially, take the second qualification exam, and prepare diligently for a better future until I enter college, showing you the person I will become as an adult." Finally, she concluded, "I will definitely strive to become a respectable person. I would appreciate it if you watch over me."
Previously, it was reported that Kim engaged in delinquent behavior while associating with delinquent youths in an unstable family environment due to the absence of her parents. However, since the probation office began managing her, Kim's environment gradually stabilized. She received housing environment improvements, psychological counseling, and mentoring programs from the probation office, found her dream of becoming a singer, started studying, and passed the qualification exam.
After receiving the letter, Uijeongbu District Court decided to extend Kim's probation period by one year. A representative from the Uijeongbu Probation Office said, "Through probation guidance and supervision, we will do our best to support juvenile probationers in various ways so that they can reflect on their mistakes through diverse experiences and grow into healthy individuals."
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