"Does Electronic Ankle Bracelet Really Prevent Crime?" Two Killed After Cutting It... Controversy Over 'Uselessness'

Convicted Criminal Who Killed Two Women While Fleeing After Tampering with Electronic Monitoring Bracelet
"What Is the Purpose of Electronic Monitoring Bracelets?" Citizens Outraged
Over 10 Tampering Cases Each Year in the Past 5 Years
Experts Call for Stronger Cooperation Between Ministry of Justice and Police

An electronic anklet, a location-tracking electronic device, worn on the ankle. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] The effectiveness of electronic monitoring devices (electronic anklets) is under intense scrutiny after a sex offender in his 50s, who cut off his electronic anklet and fled, surrendered two days later, and was found to have murdered two women before and after his escape. The Ministry of Justice announced plans to strengthen the durability of the anklets to prevent tampering, but public anxiety remains high. Experts advise that cooperation between the Ministry of Justice and the police should be strengthened to enhance the efficiency of the monitoring system using electronic anklets.

◆Sex Offender Who Cut Electronic Anklet and Murdered Two Women

According to multiple media reports, Kang Mo (56), who damaged his electronic anklet and fled on the 27th, surrendered to the Songpa Police Station in Seoul on the morning of the 29th, two days later, and confessed to murdering two women during his escape. The police reportedly confirmed the bodies based on Kang’s statements.

Kang, who had served 15 years in prison after being sentenced for special sexual assault, was released in May wearing an electronic anklet. However, on the 27th, he used industrial tools to damage the anklet on a street in Sincheon-dong, Songpa-gu, and fled.

The Seoul Eastern Probation Office, which supervises Kang, immediately requested police cooperation after detecting the anklet’s damage. Kang surrendered to the Songpa Police Station two days after the police began tracking him, stating, "I surrendered because I thought the crime would soon be discovered and I would be caught."

◆Citizens Outraged: "Beyond Unsettling, It’s Absurd"... Calls for 'Electronic Anklet Uselessness Theory'

Citizens who learned about the case raised doubts about the practicality of electronic anklets. Some even voiced the 'electronic anklet uselessness theory.'

A in their 20s, who learned about the case through the news, questioned, "Can electronic anklets really prevent crimes?" and added, "I think it’s absurd that these devices can be so easily damaged when we don’t even know what these offenders might do. It’s beyond unsettling; it’s ridiculous," expressing frustration.

B (31), an office worker, said, "Is it possible that neither the probation office nor the police knew until the sex offender who removed the anklet murdered two women?" and angrily asked, "If they don’t know what the criminal is doing and can’t immediately arrest them, then what is the point of having electronic anklets?"

Seoul Dongdaemun-gu Location Tracking Central Control Center. / Photo by Yonhap News

This is not the first time the effectiveness of electronic anklets has been criticized. Although the material has been reinforced six times, cases of anklet tampering continue steadily every year.

There were 18 cases in 2016, 11 in 2017, 23 in 2018, 21 in 2019, and 13 last year, with more than 10 cases occurring annually over the past five years.

There are also concerns about the shortage of personnel for the electronic monitoring system that oversees those wearing electronic anklets. According to the Ministry of Justice, the number of electronic monitoring personnel nearly doubled from 141 in 2016 to 281 as of July this year. However, the number of monitored individuals also surged significantly from 1,561 in 2011 to 8,166 as of July this year.

As a result, the number of monitored individuals per monitoring staff member only slightly decreased from 19.1 in 2016 to 17.3 last month. There are concerns that thorough and meticulous management of monitored individuals is difficult to achieve.

◆Expert: "Beware of Uselessness Theory... Strengthen Ministry of Justice and Police Cooperation"

On the 30th, the government held a briefing titled 'Briefing on Electronic Device Tampering and Recidivism Cases of Electronic Monitoring Subjects' at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, announcing measures and improvements related to Kang’s case.

Yoon Woong-jang, Director of the Crime Prevention Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Justice, is giving a briefing on the progress of the electronic monitoring device damage case involving an electronically monitored individual and future measures to prevent recidivism on the morning of the 30th at the Ministry of Justice briefing room inside the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

The Ministry of Justice plans to implement measures to prevent electronic device tampering and recidivism, including △strengthening the durability of electronic anklets △enhancing cooperation with the police for rapid arrest △joint monitoring of location information of those wearing anklets △and expanding personnel managing the electronic monitoring system.

In this regard, Yoon Woongjang, Director of the Crime Prevention Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Justice, said, "We deeply apologize to the victims and their families in this case," adding, "We are sorry for causing concern to the public. We will do our best to prepare measures to prevent such incidents from recurring."

Experts pointed out that since the introduction of electronic anklets, the recidivism rate has decreased, so the 'uselessness theory' should be approached with caution. However, they also suggested strengthening cooperation between the Ministry of Justice and the police to improve the efficiency of the electronic monitoring system.

Professor Oh Yoonseong of Soonchunhyang University’s Department of Police Administration said, "Since the introduction of electronic anklets, there has definitely been a crime prevention effect on offenders with a high risk of reoffending," and added, "Although electronic anklets are not perfect, claims that they are completely useless should be approached cautiously."

He continued, "The issues of anklet tampering and recidivism must be addressed gradually through improvements," advising, "In particular, cooperation between the Ministry of Justice and the police should be strengthened to establish a system that can quickly arrest offenders who cut off their anklets and flee."

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