"Can You Do This as a Woman?"... Professor Jisun Park of "Unanswered Questions" on Breaking Barriers: "If I Go, the Path Opens" [Power K Woman]

Interview with Professor Jisun Park, Department of Social Psychology, Sookmyung Women's University
Pioneering Her Own Path in the Uncharted Field of Criminal Psychology
Driving Social Change Through Research on "Victimhood"
Influencing Cour

The serial killings committed by Yoo Youngchul between 2003 and 2004 brought crime psychology analysis into the spotlight in South Korea. Using extremely brutal methods, he meticulously planned his crimes in advance. The emergence of a serial killer unlike any previously seen in the country led to a growing recognition across all sectors of society that analyzing criminal behavior and psychology was essential to prevent the recurrence of heinous crimes.

In the early 2000s, crime psychology research in South Korea was still in its infancy, both academically and in practice. There were no universities systematically teaching criminal psychology. At that time, Professor Park Jisun of the Department of Social Psychology at Sookmyung Women's University, then a graduate student, set out in search of a place to study criminal psychology. After completing her studies in Liverpool, UK, and New York, USA, she returned to Korea, where female criminal psychologists were still extremely rare. Overcoming numerous social prejudices and challenges, she confidently forged her own path. Currently, Professor Park is active not only in research and consulting but also in broadcasting. She is driving tangible changes, including improving public awareness of crime victims and crime prevention. Asia Economy met with her, now recognized as one of Korea's leading criminal psychologists.

Professor Jisun Park of the Department of Social Psychology at Sookmyung Women's University poses before an interview on the 12th at Sookmyung Women's University in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

-What motivated you to major in criminal psychology?

▲I have been interested in criminal psychology since I was young. When I entered graduate school, there were no programs teaching criminal psychology in Korea, so I began with a master's program in social psychology. However, after starting, I realized I wanted to pursue 'applied psychology' that could be used directly in the field, rather than 'pure psychology.' I started searching again for a graduate school where I could study criminal psychology. Out of nowhere, I found that there was an investigative psychology program in Liverpool, UK. I took a leave of absence during my first year of my master's in Korea and went to Liverpool.

-It seems that attending graduate school in Liverpool was an uncommon choice at the time. What was life like in Liverpool?

▲If things had gone well, I considered pursuing my Ph.D. in Liverpool, but once I arrived, life was very difficult. The unpredictable weather and the cultural differences were hard to adapt to. Even within the UK, living in Liverpool is vastly different from living in London. I decided that pursuing a Ph.D. there would be too challenging, so after earning my degree, I returned to Korea. I completed my master's in social psychology, which I had put on hold, and then pursued my Ph.D. in the United States.

-The field of criminal psychology has long been dominated by men in both research and practice. Did you face any difficulties as a woman in academia or in criminal investigations?

▲After earning my Ph.D. and returning to Korea, I interviewed for a faculty position at the Korean National Police University. When I mentioned my major in criminal psychology, I was asked, "Can a woman do this?" I was shocked that such a discriminatory question could be asked in an interview. Although many thoughts raced through my mind, I noticed that some of the interviewers were embarrassed by the question. I composed myself and replied, "You must not know me at all," and fortunately, the moment passed smoothly. Now, when people think of criminal psychologists, women come to mind just as readily, so I believe future generations will not experience what I did.

-It has been about 17 years since you began your research as a criminal psychologist. How has the crime landscape in Korea changed during that time?

▲In the past, there was significant concern about offline sexual crimes, but now fears about digital sex crimes, deepfakes, and revenge porn involving acquaintances have grown tremendously and are felt by the public. Offline stalking alone is now relatively rare. With the development of digital media, various forms of online stalking have emerged. There are now cases where threats are sent not only via phone, text, messenger, and email but even through messages attached to online money transfers. The level of anonymity is high, and the speed of dissemination has increased dramatically. As a result, public awareness of relationship-based crimes such as stalking and dating violence has changed significantly. In the past, domestic violence and intimate partner violence were dismissed as personal issues, but now the state takes an active interest and handles these matters proactively.

-What qualities do you think are essential for a criminal psychologist?

▲When discussing criminal cases in class, some students react with fear due to the brutality of the incidents. The most important thing is to view the criminal not simply as an object of observation but as a subject of analysis. It is necessary to go beyond my own perspective and experiences as someone who is educated, has no criminal record, and has lived a normal social life, and to deeply understand the background, personality, and mindset of the criminal to analyze why they acted as they did. Only then can one properly interpret the case and the perpetrator.

Professor Jisun Park of the Department of Social Psychology at Sookmyung Women's University is being interviewed on the 12th at Sookmyung Women's University in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

-As a criminal psychologist, when have you felt the greatest sense of fulfillment?

▲There used to be a fixed notion of what a 'real victim' should look like during investigations and trials. People expected victims to cry or show emotional distress, and those who did not were often not seen as genuine victims. I had the opportunity to lecture in court about how such stereotypes operate during investigations and trials, and the response from judges was surprisingly positive. It became a turning point that changed how victims were viewed during actual trials. I also feel a great sense of fulfillment when my psychological analysis opinions, submitted as a consultant to the police or prosecutors, influence court rulings.

-What research are you currently working on?

▲I am very interested in narcissism. When a criminal is caught, there is often a focus on whether they are a psychopath, but in reality, the probability that ordinary people will interact with a psychopath is extremely low. On the other hand, people with excessive narcissism are commonly encountered in everyday life. Therefore, figuring out how to deal with the harm caused by highly narcissistic individuals is a very important issue. In fact, when reviewing court rulings related to dating violence, many first-time offenders in their 20s and 30s with no prior criminal record commit dating violence as their first crime. Analysis shows that this often happens when someone who believes they are superior to others becomes violent if others do not comply with their wishes.

-You are active in broadcasting, including programs like 'Unanswered Questions.' Is there anything you pay special attention to?

▲When incidents are reported by the media and become social issues, they can sometimes lead to positive outcomes. A representative example is the Busan 'roundhouse kick' case. Initially, the fact that it was a sex crime was not emphasized, but after media coverage, it received significant attention and the direction of the trial changed. Seeing such cases, I am always aware that the perspectives of the media and the public can influence actual policies and judicial procedures. That is why I am careful with my choice of words and constantly monitor how crime is portrayed in the media. Downplaying the seriousness of a crime by calling it a 'bad deed,' glamorizing the criminal, or portraying them as highly intelligent are all inappropriate.

-What are your goals for the future?

▲In the short term, my goal is to analyze court rulings accumulated over several years since the implementation of the Stalking Punishment Act and to study the current state of stalking crimes and their handling in Korea. In the long term, I would like to write a movie script or try my hand at film production. I learned how to write scripts a few years ago, but it was difficult to continue while also working as a professor. I would like to contribute my expertise to the production of crime films.

-Do you have a message for women?

▲I want to encourage women to actively pursue paths that others do not take. When I chose to major in criminal psychology, career opportunities in Korea were extremely limited. However, I never worried about whether I would be able to find a job. If I go, the path will open. Challenging yourself in a field that few others pursue can be a strength in itself, so do not worry and actively create your own path.

Professor Jisun Park of the Department of Social Psychology at Sookmyung Women's University is being interviewed on the 12th at Sookmyung Women's University in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

▶About Professor Park Jisun of the Department of Social Psychology at Sookmyung Women's University

She double-majored in English Education at the College of Education and Psychology at the College of Social Sciences at Seoul National University. She earned her master's degree in Investigative Psychology from the University of Liverpool, UK, in 2003, a master's degree in Social Psychology from Seoul National University Graduate School in 2004, and a Ph.D. in Criminal Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice at the City University of New York in 2009. From 2010 to 2015, she served as a professor in the Department of Public Administration at the Korean National Police University. She is currently a professor in the Department of Social Psychology at Sookmyung Women's University. Her main research areas include homicide, sexual crimes, and dating violence, and she has made significant contributions to criminal profiling and research on crime victim perception. She has served as an expert member of the Sentencing Commission of the Supreme Court and as a forensic science advisor to the National Police Agency, providing practical support for legal judgments and investigations. Professor Park is also at the forefront of popularizing criminal psychology through appearances on various broadcast programs, including SBS's 'Unanswered Questions.'