"News Like a Thunderbolt, Please Stop It" Over 80,000 Agree to Anti-Jo Doo-soon Welfare Benefit Petition on Blue House Website

Jodusun Applied for Basic Pension and Basic Livelihood Security Benefits at the End of Last Year
Receiving a Total Monthly Welfare Benefit of 1.2 Million Won Including Spouse's Allowance

A petition on the Blue House website requesting to prevent child sex offender Jo Doo-soon from receiving welfare benefits of about 1.2 million won per month has received over 80,000 endorsements as of the 3rd. / Photo by Blue House petition board capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Public outrage is mounting as it has been confirmed that Jo Doo-soon (68), a 'child sex offender' who brutally sexually assaulted an elementary school student, is receiving welfare benefits of about 1.2 million KRW per month. A petition on the Blue House National Petition Board demanding the suspension of support payments to Jo Doo-soon has garnered over 80,000 signatures.

The petition titled "Do not give basic living allowance to Jo Doo-soon," posted on the National Petition Board, had received more than 81,100 endorsements as of 9 a.m. on the 3rd.

The petitioner, who identified himself as the head of an ordinary family, said, "I saw news that Jo Doo-soon applied for basic living allowance at the community service center, and if approved, he would receive about 1.2 million KRW monthly support. It was shocking news."

He continued, "I can proudly say that I have lived more diligently than anyone else and have faithfully paid all national taxes despite any difficulties. After seeing the news, I wondered if I should be paying taxes like this and felt that the world is full of absurd things happening."

He added, "It is honestly frustrating to think that my taxes are being spent on a shameless and monstrous person to the extent that it makes me ashamed to be a citizen. Jo Doo-soon committed unspeakable and unimaginable atrocities, and yet he is receiving 1.2 million KRW every month?" he questioned.

The official vehicle carrying child sex offender Jo Doo-soon, who was released after serving his sentence, was blocked by some citizens and YouTubers while leaving the Ministry of Justice Ansan Probation Center in Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, on the morning of December 12 last year. / Photo by Yonhap News

The petitioner urged, "What do other citizens think? Is the law of the Republic of Korea strange? I sincerely hope that this administration will not be executed, and that the remaining citizens will not be angered, but that proper administration will be pursued."

Previously, five days after his full release, on December 17 last year, Jo Doo-soon applied for his basic pension for seniors aged 65 and over, as well as basic living security benefits for himself and his spouse.

According to multiple media reports on the 2nd, Ansan City in Gyeonggi Province reviewed and approved the eligibility of Jo Doo-soon and his spouse for basic living security benefits in January. As a result, since the end of last month, the couple has been able to receive welfare benefits totaling about 1.2 million KRW monthly, including △ basic pension of 300,000 KRW △ livelihood benefits of 620,000 KRW for two people △ housing benefits of 260,000 KRW.

Meanwhile, Jo Doo-soon was prosecuted in December 2008 for kidnapping and sexually assaulting an elementary school student in front of a church in Danwon-gu, Ansan City, causing serious injuries.

At the time, the prosecution sought a life sentence for Jo Doo-soon, but the court sentenced him to 12 years in prison, citing his old age and mental impairment due to alcoholism.

Jo Doo-soon was released at the end of last year after serving the 12-year sentence. He currently resides in his hometown, Ansan.

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