South Korea’s notorious child rapist gets new jail term for violating curfew

Convicted child rapist Cho Doo-soon has been placed behind bars again after receiving a three-month jail term on Wednesday, for breaking his court-mandated curfew.

The Ansan branch of the Suwon District Court issued the sentence to the 72-year-old for violating a criminal law mandating him to wear a GPS-enabled electronic anklet and adhering to related laws on curfews, stressing that even a single case of such violations should not be taken lightly.

“The implementation of electronic monitoring devices is aimed at facilitating the reintegration of offenders into society while ensuring public safety. Any deviation from these measures cannot be tolerated,” the judge said, delivering the verdict.

The court also noted that Cho has shown no signs of remorse for violating the curfew. He requested reduced fines from the investigative authorities and prosecutors, and complained that he had no choice but to leave the house due to his wife.

Cho was accused of breaching a legal order not to leave his home between 9pm and 6am He was indicted for leaving his residence in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, around 9.05pm on December 4 last year.

On that day, Cho wandered outside his house alone for a few minutes before his probation officers spotted him via surveillance cameras. He told officers that he left home after a squabble with his wife, and stayed outside for about 40 minutes in total.

Violation of the electronic anklet law and related curfews carries a penalty of up to one year of imprisonment or a fine of up to 10 million won (US$7,460.) Explaining their decision to imprison him once again, the court deemed that imposing a fine would be insufficient punishment considering Cho’s economic status.