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Cho Doo-soon case

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The Cho Doo-soon case (Korean: 조두순 사건) refers to an assault that took place in Ansan, South-Korea, in December 2008, in which an eight-year-old girl known only as Na-young (a pseudonym) was kidnapped and raped by Cho Doo-soon, a 56-year-old male, in a bathroom inside a church. She was seriously injured in the attack. Cho was sentenced to 12 years in prison, and appealed on the grounds that the sentence was harsh, but his appeals were rejected. The sentence was later reduced because the criminal was old and claimed he was drunk, and his mental and physical weakness was recognized. The case sparked outrage and protests involving Na-young's parents and many others.

Cho Doo-soon

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Cho Doo-soon

Cho Doo-soon (Korean: 조두순; Hanja: 趙痘淳) was born October 18, 1952.[1] He dropped out of middle school and in 1970, he committed his first crime, stealing a bicycle. He was given leniency because of his young age and because it was a small-scale crime.[2] In 1972, he was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in a youth detention center for extorting money from a street stall. In 1977, he was sentenced to 8 months in prison for habitual theft.[2] In 1983, at age 31, he raped a 19-year-old woman who worked nearby where he lived; she needed 30 days of treatment to recover. He was sentenced to 3 years in prison for this crime.[2] After his release, he was fined several times for various violent crimes, including the assault of a bar hostess.[2] In 1995, while drinking, Cho assaulted a man in his 60s to death, because he praised controversial president Chun Doo-hwan. As he was deemed feeble-minded, he was sentenced to 2 years and admitted into a psychiatric hospital.[3] Cho's only family is his wife, who has nothing but praise for him. Cho's wife said "Cooking rice and side dishes, cleaning the home and all the household work… My husband has done it for 20 years... He has never vented his anger and he has been hailed as a polite person."[4] While married, Cho committed 11 out of his 18 total crimes. For most of his crimes he was drunk and gave the excuse that he “does not remember;” Cho's wife said that he only committed crimes because of alcohol.[4]

Course of events

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On December 11, 2008, eight-year-old girl and elementary school student Kim Na-young was on her way to school when she was kidnapped by 56-year-old Cho Doo-soon, who was drunk at the time. He dragged her to a church's bathroom, saying she had to go to church. Cho struck her in the face several times, bit her cheek, strangled and held her head underwater until she fainted before assaulting her. He left her on the floor with cold water running and left the scene.[5][6] Na-young was found by her neighbors and was taken to a hospital. She had injuries to her internal organs, but she survived the incident. Cho left evidence at the scene and still had her blood on himself when he was arrested.[7] He inflicted permanent and non-bone injuries of traumatic cuts in the abdomen, lower abdomen and pelvis that required at least 8 months of treatment on the victim.[citation needed]

Trial and controversy

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Cho was originally sentenced to life imprisonment, but after Na-young testified that he smelled like alcohol, his sentence was reduced to 12 years in prison, as he was not sound of mind while committing the crime. Cho wrote over 300 times, "I am not the type of a sick monster who rapes an 8-year-old girl," to the judge.[8][9][10][11][12][6] Na-young's parents filed a lawsuit against the prosecution for subjecting their daughter to physical and psychological distress. The prosecution questioned her right after she came out of surgery and made her sit upright and answer the same questions four times due to the prosecutors making mistakes while recording. They violated protocol in obtaining testimony from a minor by taping her in public. Prosecution also failed to show the arrest videotape of Cho which would have eliminated the need for her to take the witness stand. In 2011, the government paid 13 million won in compensation to Na-young for violations by the prosecution.[13] After news of his sentencing was released, many petitions were left on the Blue House's website calling for a retrial.[7]

Aftermath

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Na-young was left with permanent damage to her lower abdomen and was told she would be permanently disabled. She needed 8 months of treatment and had to take trips to Seoul every weekend.[14] She was told she would need to use a colostomy bag for the rest of her life[15] but underwent a successful surgery to implement an artificial anus.[16] Na-young also suffered from Depression and mental stress after the attack.[6] Na-young, then 8 years old, was made to sit upright with her colostomy bag while testifying in court and explaining the incident, which caused more psychological stress. She received 13 million won in compensation because of violations against the interview policy for victims of sexual assault.[17] A year after the assault, after receiving psychiatric treatment, she was said to have recovered 70 percent. She started attending school again and even attended a hagwon across the street from the place of incidence.[18] According to her father from a report in 2020, she only watches cartoons and avoids news completely to avoid any possible chance of seeing something sexual assault-related.[14]

Reaction and influence

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In 2011, R&B singer ALi released a song based on Na-young's story, titled "Nayoungee." The song attracted controversy after being widely criticized, and ALi chose to omit it from her upcoming album.[19][20] She also subsequently issued an apology. ALi then went on to say that the song was also about her own battle with being a rape victim.[21]

In response to the case, a book and movie titled Hope was made in 2013. It won several awards and reignited attention about the case. The film also received a lot of criticism for making profit out of someone's tragedy and bringing attention to someone who wants to live a quiet life.[22]

Politician Kim Young-ho from the Democratic Party tried to introduce bills to try and prevent criminals from re-offending sex crimes against minors. He claimed, "The special bill on life imprisonment for criminals who recommit sexual crimes against minors, which I introduced, aims to isolate those who recommit the same crime after release permanently from society." The Ministry of Justice attempted to pass the Protective Supervision Act, which would put more extreme criminals into a facility away from society after their term in prison ends. In 2014 and 2016 the ministry attempted to turn this bill into a law but received backlash for being a violation of human rights.[23] Lawmaker Ko Young-in suggested a law that will restrict sex criminals from going farther than 200 meters from their home. Laws to keep sex criminals like Cho away from facilities with kids and to keep him from being able to drink alcohol have also been suggested in response to this case.[24] In response to Cho's impending release, 2 petitions for getting rid of the laws that weaken prison sentences for crimes committed while drunk and crimes committed by mentally impaired people have received 876,000 signatures.[25] Both petitions were refused as they said they could not fill laws with passion[further explanation needed].[25]

Release

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Cho was released on December 12, 2020.[26] He returned to Ansan to live with his wife less than 1 km away from the victim's house. Na-young's father has said that he would be willing to take out a loan to give money to Cho so Cho can leave Ansan.[14] Cho said "I am sorry for my crimes, and if I am released, I will live quietly without causing controversy."[citation needed] He will have to wear an ankle monitor and will be under constant surveillance on probation for 7 years. His probation officer will also be able to make random visits to his home.[24] Despite wearing an electronic ankle bracelet there have been cases of criminals in Korea who were able to escape the country.[27] 71 security cameras would be placed around Ansan for the safety of residents who fear Cho's release.[14][28]

On May 20, 2021, South Korean Ministry of Justice and Ansan city's government announced that the tracking and monitoring of Cho has cost over 200 million KRW during the first four months.[29]

On March 20, 2024, Cho received a three-month prison sentence term for wandering outside past his 9 p.m. curfew for 40 minutes in December 2023.[30]

Cultural references

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "조두순", 위키백과, 우리 모두의 백과사전 (in Korean), 2020-10-05, retrieved 2020-10-06
  2. ^ a b c d ""인생 전체가 범죄…'전과 18범' 조두순, 화학 거세 주장도" - 머니투데이". news.mt.co.kr (in Korean). 2020-09-16. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  3. ^ ""전두환 찬양했다고 때려 죽여"…조두순 출소일 앞두고 과거 사건 재조명 - 유혜지". 톱스타뉴스 (in Korean). 2020-09-11. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  4. ^ a b "조두순 아내 탄원서 "남편, 예의를 아는 사람"". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 18 July 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  5. ^ "Gov't ordered to compensate child rape victim". The Korea Times. 2011-10-26. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  6. ^ a b c "In South Korea, Being Drunk Is a Legal Defense for Rape". KENNEDY SCHOOL REVIEW. 2019-07-16. Archived from the original on 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  7. ^ a b "Brutal rape of 8 year old has nation up in arms". Korea JoongAng Daily. 2 October 2009. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  8. ^ "Light jail term for children's rapist enrages Koreans". The Korea Herald. 2010-03-30. Archived from the original on September 3, 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  9. ^ "Child rape case sparks calls for law revision in S.Korea". Asiaone.com. 2009-10-06. Archived from the original on 2010-01-29. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  10. ^ "Gov't ordered to compensate child rape victim". The Korea Times. 2011-10-26. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  11. ^ "S. Korea child rape case sparks outcry". The China Post. 2009-10-06. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  12. ^ "Na-young recovering from rape | Asia News – Politics, Media, Education". Asian Correspondent. 2009-12-26. Archived from the original on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  13. ^ "Gov't ordered to compensate child rape victim". 2013-10-14. Archived from the original on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  14. ^ a b c d "[단독] 나영이 아빠의 절규 "빚내서라도 조두순에게 이사비 주고싶다"". Nate News (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  15. ^ Kim, Jon Herskovitz, Christine (2009-11-09). "South Korea seeks new laws after brutal rape of child". Reuters. Retrieved 2020-10-08.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ "Hope of recovery for rape victim". The Korea Herald. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  17. ^ 김, 은정 (2011-02-10). "Child rape victim wins compensation for prosecutors' reckless interviews". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  18. ^ "A smile returning to Na-young's face after ordeal". Korea JoongAng Daily. 23 December 2009. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  19. ^ a b "Singer Ali Reveals Traumatic Experience of Rape - The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea". The Chosun Ilbo. 2011-12-19. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  20. ^ "ALi and Nayoungee: A Faux Pas? | seoulbeats". Seoulbeats.com. 18 December 2011. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  21. ^ "Ali Criticized Due to Her Song on Sexual Assault Case". Archived from the original on 2013-10-07. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
  22. ^ "Blue Dragon winner shocks". Korea JoongAng Daily. 24 November 2013. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  23. ^ "S. Korea Prepares to Prevent Recidivism by Convicted Child Rapist Cho Doo-soon". world.kbs.co.kr. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  24. ^ a b "What you need to know about notorious child rapist Cho Doo-soon". The Korea Times. 2020-09-18. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  25. ^ a b "In South Korea, Being Drunk Is a Legal Defense for Rape". KENNEDY SCHOOL REVIEW. 2019-07-16. Archived from the original on 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  26. ^ "Notorious child rapist returns home in Ansan after being released from prison". The Korea Times. 2020-12-12. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  27. ^ "Despite ankle monitors, ex-cons fly under the radar". Korea JoongAng Daily. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  28. ^ "South Korea: Child rapist's release sparks demand for change". BBC News. 5 January 2021.
  29. ^ Park, Kukhee (20 May 2021). "조두순 감시 비용, 넉달간 세금 2억원 들어갔다". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  30. ^ "Korea's most notorious child rapist imprisoned again for breaking curfew". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. 2024-03-20. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  31. ^ "[Voice] How should Korea combat pedophilia?". The Korea Herald. September 10, 2012.
  32. ^ "Making excuses instead of protecting society : The DONG-A ILBO".
  33. ^ "Prevention Better than Cure for Victims of Child Sex Crimes". The Chosun Ilbo. 2 March 2024.
  34. ^ "Public on high alert over child sex crimes : The DONG-A ILBO".
  35. ^ "[Editorial] Fighting sex crimes". The Korea Herald.
  36. ^ "Based on infamous rape case, 'Wish' reopens old wounds". Korea JoongAng Daily. 3 October 2013.
  37. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Notorious rapist Cho Doo-soon to return home after 12 years in prison". YouTube. 24 October 2020.
  38. ^ Sunwoo, Carla (4 October 2013). "Based on infamous rape case, Wish reopens old wounds". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
  39. ^ "'모범택시' 아동 성범죄자 복수로 시작... 첫방 12.3% '대박' 예감" ['Taxi Driver' begins with revenge on child sex offender... First episode 12.3% predicted to be a 'big hit']. Sports Seoul. 2021-04-10. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  40. ^ ""사회의 썩은 부분 찌르는... 있어서는 안 될 사회악" '다크 웹툰' 인기, 왜?" ["Poking at the rotten parts of society... a social evil that should not exist." Why is 'Dark Webtoon' so popular?]. The Dong-a Ilbo] (in Korean). 2019-05-08. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  41. ^ "'보이스2' 연제욱 "아동성범죄자役, 조두순 사건 찾아봤죠"［Oh!커피 한 잔①］" ['Voice 2' Yeon Je-wook "I looked into the case of child sex offender Jo Doo-soon" ［Oh! A Cup of Coffee ①］]. OSEN (in Korean). 2018-09-17. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
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