Is Go Young-wook, Guilty of 'Sexual Assault on a Minor', Qualified for Social Reintegration?

13-Year-Old and Two Other Minors Sexually Assaulted Four Times by Ko Young-wook
Expresses Desire to Return to Society via Instagram Saying "It's Hard"
"It's a Difficult Time Due to COVID-19. I've Been Isolated for Nearly 9 Years..."
Public Reaction Cold: "Still Shows No Sign of Remorse"
Claims Personal Suffering While Ignoring Trauma of Victims

Ko Young-wook, a former member of the dance group 'Lula' who was detained and sentenced to wear an electronic anklet on charges of sexually assaulting a minor, has sparked public outrage by expressing his desire to return to society through Instagram. Photo by Ko Young-wook SNS capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Ko Young-wook, a former member of the dance group 'Lula' who was sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting and forcibly molesting three minors, including a 13-year-old, on four separate occasions, has begun his full-fledged social reintegration by starting Instagram.

The public's reaction is cold. Above all, there are continuous criticisms that he is ignoring the victims' pain. Ko Young-wook was released after serving his sentence and started SNS to make a comeback, but the victims' suffering is still ongoing.

In particular, Ko Young-wook showed no remorse, committing crimes even during the police investigation process.

Additionally, he has shown interest in unspecified women through SNS, raising doubts about whether the SNS he chose as a means of 'communication with the public' will be used simply as a communication tool. Some voices express bitter criticism, questioning whether a sex offender is using SNS, which was once a tool for his crimes, again.

The fact that he appealed during the trial process also makes the public uncomfortable. Ko Young-wook appealed on four grounds: △misrecognition of facts △excessive sentencing △excessive disclosure and notification period of personal information △unfairness of the electronic monitoring bracelet order, arguing that the punishment for his sexual assault of minors was excessive. However, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal and confirmed the original sentence.

Sex Offender for Sexual Assault of a Minor, Ko Young-wook [Photo by Yonhap News]

◆ 'Heartless' Ko Young-wook, What Crimes Did He Commit... Citizens Outraged by Comeback News

Ko Young-wook was arrested and prosecuted on charges of sexually assaulting and forcibly molesting three minors on four occasions between July 2010 and December 2012 at his officetel in Seoul and in his car.

In the summer of 2010, while under prosecution for sexually assaulting and forcibly molesting 13-year-old A and 17-year-old B at his officetel, he was again investigated by the police in December 2012 for forcibly molesting 13-year-old C in his car, which eventually led to his arrest.

Ko Young-wook was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison and was released in July 2015 after serving his full term. The court also ordered the disclosure and notification of his personal information for 5 years and the attachment of an electronic monitoring device (electronic bracelet) for 3 years.

The electronic bracelet is mainly used to monitor individuals who are likely to commit crimes. Ko Young-wook wore the electronic bracelet until July 2018, and it expired in July 2020.

After that, Ko Young-wook started SNS, saying he wanted to communicate with the world. The public's view of this is unfavorable. Not only is he criticized for ignoring the victims' pain, but also because, as a 'sex offender,' he shows no sign of remorse while talking about 'communication' after virtually all punishments, including the removal of the electronic bracelet, have ended.

Kim, a company employee in his 30s, said, "The crimes Ko Young-wook committed are far worse than simple theft or other crimes," and raised his voice, saying, "Starting SNS in such a situation is unacceptable." He added, "Also, SNS is a kind of tool for his crimes from Ko Young-wook's perspective, so doing it again can only be seen as not repenting," expressing his anger.

Lee, a university student in his 20s, said, "It's not just a crime; it's 'sexual assault of minors,'" and criticized, "The victims must be in their 20s now. Who would understand the situation where he wants to show his face and communicate in front of such people?"

Oh, a company employee in his 40s, said, "It can be seen as not repenting," and pointed out, "We don't know when and where he might commit another crime. Someone who should live quietly is showing himself to the public and even using SNS, which seems like a will to live as he did in the past." He added, "It's really pathetic," criticizing him.

Sex offender Ko Young-wook involved in sexual assault of minors [Photo by Yonhap News]

◆ Court: "Severe Punishment is Appropriate" Harsh Sentence

At the time, the court sentenced Ko Young-wook to a heavy sentence, saying his crime was serious. The court stated, "It is appropriate to severely punish those who commit sex crimes by exploiting the psychology of children who want to become celebrities."

Regarding the reason for sentencing, the court said, "It is the state's duty to protect children and adolescents from all forms of violence so that they can grow into healthy members of society and maintain their dignity. Children and adolescents are the future of the nation and should be regarded as such. Exposure to sexual violence can cause serious obstacles to their overall personal development, which results in a loss to the entire nation. Despite this, crimes against children and adolescents are rapidly increasing, and strictly punishing such crimes is one of the court's responsibilities."

The court also stated, "He committed crimes during the investigation period when he should have been reflecting. Nevertheless, the victim has consistently made excuses up to the court, and he has shifted responsibility to some victims. Even considering that he has no prior criminal record and has reached agreements with some victims, severe punishment is appropriate."

Earlier, on the 12th, Ko Young-wook announced the opening of his Instagram through his Twitter, saying, "I cautiously want to live communicating with the world." In his first Instagram post, he said, "A long time has passed since I last greeted you like this. Many people are going through difficult times due to COVID-19. I have spent nearly nine years in isolation, but as long as I am alive, I cannot continue like this, so now I cautiously want to live communicating with the world."

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