Lee Sujeong "We Should Not Focus Only on Jodusun... Measures to Prevent Recidivism Must Be Established"

Ministry of Justice: "Isolation in 'Protective Custody Facility' Not Possible After Jo Doo-sun's Release"

Professor Lee Su-jeong of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University is speaking at the 1st meeting of the People Power Party's Special Committee on Sexual Violence Measures held at the National Assembly on the 20th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] As Jo Doo-soon (68), who is serving a 12-year sentence for sexually assaulting an 8-year-old child and causing serious injury, is scheduled for release in December, public anxiety is growing. In this context, Professor Lee Soo-jung of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University pointed out that "additional supplementary measures are needed for child sex offenders who reoffend."

On the 15th, Professor Lee said on CBS Radio's 'Sisa Jaki Jeong Gwan-yong imnida,' "We should not focus solely on Jo Doo-soon."

She added, "There are many child sex offenders like Jo Doo-soon. Therefore, instead of trying only punitive legislation, I hope the National Assembly will conduct broad legislative discussions on additional supplementary measures. The protective custody system is currently being debated, and it is necessary to discuss such matters."

Earlier, on the 7th, Professor Lee also mentioned the necessity of the protective custody system. On 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' she said, "(Since the verdict) is final, a retrial is impossible under the principle of ne bis in idem," and added, "If a system is legislated to impose a kind of protective custody to prevent recidivism in sex crimes, it can be applied before release."

Meanwhile, on the 14th, Ansan Mayor Yoon Hwa-seop sent a letter to Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae urgently requesting the enactment of a 'Protective Custody Act' related to sex offenders. The Ministry of Justice stated that the request for isolation in a protective custody facility for Jo Doo-soon is "virtually impossible."

According to Yonhap News and others, a Ministry of Justice official said, "The existing Protective Custody Act bill submitted to the National Assembly does not have retroactive provisions," and "Even based on that bill, it cannot be applied retroactively to people like Jo Doo-soon who committed crimes in the past."

The official added, "The Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court have consistently ruled that even security measures effectively deprive physical freedom, so according to the principle of non-retroactivity of punishment, it is correct to apply the law at the time of the act."

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