"Why Does a Sex Offender Communicate with the Public?" Ko Young-wook, Accused of "Sexual Assault on a Minor," Faces Flood of Criticism Over SNS Account Launch

Ko Young-wook sexually assaulted and forcibly molested three minors four times
Ko Young-wook, labeled as the 'first celebrity with an electronic ankle bracelet'
"I want to live communicating" opens SNS
Netizens say "If truly remorseful, cannot resume activities"

Singer Ko Young-wook, formerly of the group Roolla. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Ko Young-wook, a singer formerly of the group Loolla who earned the notorious title of "the first celebrity to wear an electronic ankle bracelet," has opened an SNS account saying he "wants to communicate with the world," but netizens are pouring criticism on him. There are concerns that it is inappropriate for Ko, who committed sexual crimes against minors by promising to make them celebrities, to resume public activities.

Some worry that Ko's SNS activity might hint at his intention to return to the entertainment industry. Experts have evaluated that if a celebrity who committed a crime rushes to return without convincing the public, criticism will only intensify.

On the 12th, Ko shared on his Twitter, "A long time has passed before I could greet you again. Now, I want to cautiously live communicating with the world," and shared the address of his Instagram account.

His Instagram account had two posts. In the first post, Ko said, "I have spent nearly nine years in isolation, but I cannot continue living like this as long as I am alive, so now I want to cautiously live communicating with the world," adding, "I am still very lacking, but I will always reflect and strive to become a better person."

In another post, Ko revealed a photo of his mother, saying, "(My mother) has endured much pain because of me, but fortunately, she is living healthily with our dogs."

The sudden news of Ko's SNS activity has been met with cold reactions from the public. Victims are still living in pain, and it is considered inappropriate for Ko to resume activities just because time has passed.

Although Ko cited "communication with the world" as the reason for opening SNS, he showed contradictory behavior by disabling comments on Instagram, which further fueled netizens' anger.

One netizen commented on a related article, "If he truly repents, he would never think about returning," adding, "He seems to think 'I've been punished enough' and is trying to sneak back, but I don't want to see the face of a criminal again. If he truly repents, he should live without communicating on SNS or anywhere else."

On the 12th, Ko Young-wook posted a message and photo on his SNS account. Photo by Ko Young-wook Instagram capture.

Previously, Ko was arrested and indicted for sexually assaulting or forcibly molesting three minors four times over about two years starting in July 2010 at his officetel and car in Seoul. At the time, he was accused of approaching minors by promising to make them celebrities, giving them alcohol, and then taking them to his officetel or car to assault them.

In December 2013, the Supreme Court confirmed a prison sentence of two years and six months. Along with this, it ordered the attachment of an electronic tracking device (electronic ankle bracelet) for three years and the public disclosure of personal information for five years after release.

Ko is the first famous celebrity to have worn an electronic ankle bracelet due to a sex crime. He was released from Seoul Southern Prison in 2015 wearing the device, and the device was removed on July 9, 2018, when the wearing period expired.

Some suggest that Ko's "resumption of SNS activity" might be a signal of his return to the entertainment industry. There have been many cases where celebrities who caused social controversies due to crimes returned after several years of self-reflection.

Comedians Shin Dong-yup, singer Psy, actor Ju Ji-hoon, singer Park Bom, and Big Bang members G-Dragon and T.O.P, who were involved in drug cases, as well as MC the Max's Lee Soo, who caused controversies over minor prostitution cases, all eventually returned to the entertainment industry.

This is related to current broadcasting laws. There is currently no way to ban celebrities who have committed crimes from appearing on broadcasts. The current broadcasting law states, "As a public responsibility of broadcasting, crimes, immoral acts, or gambling inducement should not be promoted," but in practice, it is left to the discretion of each broadcasting company.

Singer Ko Young-wook, formerly of the group Roolla. [Photo by Yonhap News]

Given this situation, there are concerns that "easy returns" might lower public awareness of crimes. Especially, there is worry that this influence will be greater on young people who idolize celebrities.

Office worker Kim (28) said, "Being a celebrity is not a position of privilege, but it seems they take crimes too lightly," adding, "Does time erase crimes? That's not the case, but just because they say they've reflected, seeing their faces on screens again is absurd. If they return so easily, the perception of crime will inevitably become lighter."

Also problematic is the attitude of returning celebrities who trivialize their crimes. Broadcaster Shin Jung-hwan, who was previously involved in overseas gambling controversies, was recently appointed as a model for a mobile poker game, drawing criticism. Additionally, Lee Soo-geun, who had habitual gambling controversies, and Yoo Se-yoon, who confessed to drunk driving, have used their crimes as comedic material on TV programs.

Experts emphasize that celebrities who committed crimes should consider public opinion first when choosing to return. Popular culture critic Jung Deok-hyun said, "The public's judgment varies depending on the severity of the case," adding, "It is important whether they have undergone a self-reflection process sufficient to convince the public. If they fail to convince the public during their self-reflection and return, the public will not accept them."

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