[Reporter’s Notebook] Preventing a "Needle Thief" from Becoming a "Cow Thief"

Crimes by the Poor and Vulnerable on the Rise
Forty Percent of Defendants Receive Public Defense
Supporting Public Defenders Is Supporting Welfare

Park Ryong-hae (alias), a fifty-year-old North Korean defector, stole money from a massage parlor last year. When the owner rushed to stop him, he struck the owner on the head. Park was put on trial while in custody. Although he had been in South Korea for less than a year, Park knew he needed a lawyer. However, he only had 1.6 million won on hand.

The court assigned a public defender to Park. The lawyer tried to reach a settlement with the victim on behalf of Park, who was in detention. "The offender is deeply remorseful," the lawyer said. "Although his entire assets amount to only 1.6 million won, he wants to contribute this money toward medical expenses." The lawyer repeatedly told the victim that Park was sincerely seeking forgiveness, not feigning remorse to avoid punishment.

After about three days, the victim said, "I will accept only 600,000 won." Additionally, the victim said, "I hope the remaining 1 million won will be used to help Park adapt to Korean society after his release." This came along with the words the lawyer and Park most wanted to hear: "I forgive you." Although the 'settlement agreement' was submitted to the court, Park did not receive legal 'forgiveness' under statutory law. He was sentenced to three years and six months in prison. However, upon hearing the victim's words from the lawyer, Park reportedly broke down in tears. It was the most precious form of forgiveness he received.

This is a story heard while interviewing public defenders. Similar cases abound. One public defender, upon learning that a defendant who could not pay a fine and remained in detention had a landlord file an 'eviction lawsuit,' requested emergency housing support from the government on the defendant’s behalf. Another lawyer helped a defendant charged with stealing soju bottles receive 'basic income.' There was also a lawyer who, although the defendant was acquitted, searched tirelessly to find support from a developmental disability center to prevent the defendant from becoming homeless. One public defender laughed, saying, "Sometimes I wonder if I am a social worker or a lawyer."

136,792. This is the number of defendants who received public defense in 2023. This is 14,200 more than in 2022. Considering that the total number of criminal defendants increased by about 15,200 during the same period, the majority of the increase in defendants received public defense. What does this mean? It means that as social polarization deepens, crimes committed by the poor, the vulnerable, the disabled, and the elderly have increased.

There is no intention to blindly glorify public defenders. However, I hope the state and society will actively support and encourage them so they can work sufficiently. This is ultimately an act of welfare, helping our neighbors who are struggling and vulnerable and are easily tempted by crime. If a 'needle thief' receives adequate legal assistance, he will not become a 'cow thief.'