"Jodusun Approach Ban Law" to Pass Before Jodusun's Release? Jeong Chunsuk Says "It Can Pass"

Jeong Chun-sook, Chairperson of the National Assembly's Women and Family Committee, is striking the gavel at the plenary meeting of the Women and Family Committee. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] As Jo Doo-soon, who kidnapped and sexually assaulted an elementary school student, is scheduled to be released on December 13, Jeong Chun-sook, chairperson of the National Assembly's Women and Family Committee and member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "I believe the related bills can be passed before Jo Doo-soon's release."

On the 14th, Chairperson Jeong said in an interview with YTN Radio's "Starting a New Morning," "Considering only the legislative process, if legislation begins around November, I believe the related bills can be passed before the release date of December 13 (Jo Doo-soon's release date)."

Chairperson Jeong added, "Starting with the National Assembly's Women and Family Committee, I have already prepared all the bills and will submit them this week, so the pace does not seem too slow. In any case, we must make great efforts to ensure these bills pass. Fortunately, most lawmakers across parties agree, so the process should move quickly," she explained.

She continued, "The Jo Doo-soon Access Restriction Act is not a separate law but an amendment to the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sexual Abuse. Under the current law, perpetrators or their representatives are prohibited from approaching within 100 meters of the victim child's residence or school. The amendment expands this restriction to within 1 kilometer of residences, schools, kindergartens, and activity facilities," she said.

Furthermore, she stated, "Currently, the special law on sexual violence crime punishment provides for a statement assistance system limited to children under 13 years old or those with physical or mental disabilities who have difficulty communicating. This will be expanded to provide statement assistants for all child and youth sexual crime victims," adding, "The core is to protect, consider, and strengthen the victim during investigation and trial processes."

Meanwhile, Jo Doo-soon was sentenced to 12 years in prison in September of the following year for kidnapping and sexually assaulting an elementary school student in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, in December 2008, causing permanent disability. Jo Doo-soon’s sentence expires on December 12, and he is scheduled to be released the next day, on the 13th.

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