"Jeonju Woman Murdered, Women Outraged Over Low Sentencing Standards for Sexual Crimes"

Choi Sin-jong Given Suspended Sentence in 2012 Group and Weapon Threats and Special Rape Case
Women: "The Court Is Also an Accomplice... Sentences for Sexual Crimes Must Be Harsher"
Experts: "Harsher Sentences Are Not the Only Answer... Education and Treatment Are Needed"

The personal information of Choi Sin-jong (31), the suspect arrested on charges of murdering two women who went missing in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, and Busan, was released on the 20th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Gayeon] Choi Sinjong (31), who was arrested on charges of murdering two women, has come under heavy criticism from women after it was revealed that he was previously released on probation despite assaulting and sexually assaulting a former lover. Critics argue that if Choi had received a severe punishment earlier, this horrific incident might not have occurred.

Women have raised their voices, saying "the court is also clearly an accomplice," and criticized the judiciary for needing to abandon perpetrator-centered thinking and develop gender sensitivity. Experts suggested that educational sanctions should take priority over simply increasing sentences.

Choi Sinjong was sentenced in 2012 to three years in prison with five years probation for charges including group and weapon threats and special rape. It was reported that he threatened his girlfriend with a weapon he had prepared in advance and sexually assaulted her because she wanted to break up. At the time of the crime, Choi was serving as a social service agent.

Later, in 2015, he was tried and sentenced to six months in prison for breaking into a mart in Gimje, Jeonbuk, at night and stealing valuables (nighttime building intrusion theft).

As a result, calls are growing louder to strengthen sentences for sex crimes. It is argued that harsher punishments for sex crimes can have a learning and preventive effect to stop reoffending.

In summary, it is claimed that if Choi had been strongly punished, such as being detained when first charged with sexual assault, the murders might have been prevented.

There have been ongoing calls to revise the perpetrator-centered sentencing guidelines. In November last year, a petition titled "Please revise the perpetrator-centered sentencing guidelines for sex crimes" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board.

The personal information of Choi Sin-jong (31), the suspect arrested on charges of murdering two women who went missing in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, and Busan, was released on the 20th. Photo by Yonhap News

At that time, the petitioner pointed out, "The punishment for sex crimes in our country is still perpetrator-centered. There remains a strong empathy for perpetrators among investigative agencies," adding, "It is time to change all these perceptions that have always continued, worrying only about the perpetrator's future and empathizing with the perpetrator's position." The petition received over 264,000 signatures.

Experts warn that the unconditional belief that only harsher sentences can reduce crime is dangerous.

Professor Gong Jeongsik of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University said, "Sentencing guidelines for sexual violence have been continuously strengthened. However, increasing sentences does not reduce crimes committed by people with such criminal tendencies," and suggested, "It is necessary to treat the wrong aspects of people with criminal tendencies from an educational perspective."

Professor Gong emphasized, "The important thing is that there is a high possibility of undetected covert crimes even if such acts have been committed. That is why these acts are repeated," adding, "'Certainty of punishment' is weak, so repeated offenses occur. The idea that 'only strict punishment can reduce crime' is problematic."

Meanwhile, Choi Sinjong's personal information was disclosed on the 20th. The Jeonbuk Provincial Police Agency held a personal information disclosure review committee consisting of three internal police members and four external members including lawyers and university professors, and decided to disclose Choi Sinjong's face, age, and other personal information.

Choi Sinjong is accused of strangling A (34), an acquaintance of his wife, to death on the 14th of last month and disposing of the body in a nearby stream. He is also accused of killing B (29), who came from Busan, in the same manner on the 18th of the same month and abandoning the body in an orchard.

According to the police, Choi Sinjong sexually assaulted the victims and extorted valuables.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.