"Why Are We Feeding Jo Doo-soon with Our Money?" 1.2 Million Won Paid Monthly from National Taxes

Citizens "Why Support Child Sex Offenders with Tax Money?" Outraged
"Oppose Jo Doo-soon's Monthly 1.2 Million Won Welfare Payment" Over 80,000 Petition

Jo Doo-soon has been confirmed to receive various welfare benefits amounting to about 1.2 million won per month, including the basic pension paid to the elderly.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Why should we support child sex offenders with our money!" , "They commit sex crimes and get paid, what is this!"

Public outrage has erupted after it was revealed that Jo Doo-soon, a repeat offender with 18 prior convictions who brutally sexually assaulted an elementary school student, and his wife are receiving about 1.2 million won in monthly welfare benefits.

According to relevant laws, basic pensions and other support can be provided to vulnerable groups including Jo Doo-soon, but in his case, criticism is pouring in questioning why taxpayers' hard-earned money should be used to support such a heinous child sex offender.

A petition urging not to help Jo Doo-soon was also posted on the Blue House's national petition site. Earlier, the victim's family expressed outrage over this fact and actively opposed the so-called 'Jo Doo-soon pension.'

On the 3rd, according to Ansan City in Gyeonggi Province, the city reviewed and approved the eligibility of Jo Doo-soon and his wife for basic livelihood security benefits at the end of last month. The couple now receives about 1.2 million won monthly in welfare benefits, including a basic pension of 300,000 won, livelihood benefits of 620,000 won, and housing benefits of 260,000 won.

Ansan City judged that Jo Doo-soon is over 65 years old and has no working ability, and that his wife, although under 65, has chronic illnesses making employment difficult. Also, since the couple does not own a house, they meet the legal criteria for receiving the benefits, leaving the city no choice but to provide them.

Prior to this, in December last year, after his release, Jo Doo-soon and his wife personally visited Danwon District Office to apply for the basic pension and livelihood benefits for basic livelihood security recipients. They received welfare benefits for January. It is also known that they received some of the December benefits retroactively through a catch-up procedure, which they had not applied for earlier.

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 Ansan Probation Center of the Ministry of Justice in Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do on the morning of December 12 last year.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Upon hearing this news, citizens expressed outrage and said they could not understand it. Kim, a company employee in his 30s, said, "The victim is still living in pain, but the offender is living comfortably receiving over a million won. Is this justice?"

There were also calls to immediately stop the basic pension payments and confiscate all assets. Lee, a worker in his 40s, said, "He is not just a simple thief but a sex offender, and a child sex offender at that," expressing anger. He added, "All the money Jo Doo-soon has, as well as all the money he has received from the state so far, should be confiscated and given to the victim," venting his frustration.

Park, a university student in their 20s, said, "If the law is like this, I can understand, but this situation itself sends a message that in our country, even if you commit sex crimes, you can live like that," adding, "Looking at that, do you really think Jo Doo-soon is remorseful?" criticizing the situation.

Amid ongoing public outrage, on the 2nd a petition titled 'Do not give basic livelihood support money to Jo Doo-soon' was posted on the Blue House's national petition site. As of 8 a.m. on the 3rd, over 81,000 people have agreed to the petition.

The petitioner said, "I heard the shocking news that Jo Doo-soon applied for basic livelihood security at the community service center, and if approved, about 1.2 million won will be paid monthly as support," adding, "As a fellow citizen, I feel ashamed that such a shameless and monstrous person is being supported with national taxes, and I think my tax money is wasted," expressing anger.

They continued, "Jo Doo-soon committed an outrageous crime, and because of that, a family has to live with an irreparable wound for life," and "But giving him 1.2 million won every month is unacceptable," raising their voice.

They urged, "Whether it is basic livelihood security or old-age pension, benefits should only go to those who pay various taxes by deducting from their income when they are economically capable," and "I hope the administration will work properly so that this does not happen and the public does not get angry."

On the morning of this day, Jo Doo-soon, a child sex offender who was released after serving his sentence on December 12 last year, is leaving the Ansan Probation Center of the Ministry of Justice in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Before it became known that Jo Doo-soon could live the rest of his life comfortably on taxpayers' money, the victim's family had appealed to prevent such a situation.

The victim's father said in an interview with Hankook Ilbo last month, "If the law is like that, there is nothing we can do," but added, "The victim is still living painful days, but the offender is living on government support, which makes me angry," expressing frustration.

He continued, "It is heartbreaking that crime victims like us have to live quietly and lonely for fear of being recognized by others," and "I hope the government will pay attention to crime victims and extend a warm hand. Only then can victims gain strength thinking 'I am not alone' and live the rest of their lives," appealing.

Amid the controversy over Jo Doo-soon's basic pension, Ansan City maintains that it must provide the benefits according to current law. A city official stated, "Basic pensions and livelihood benefits for basic livelihood security recipients must be provided if the legal criteria are met and cannot be withheld."

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