The relocation of convicted child rapist Cho Doo-soon to a new residence in the same neighbourhood has reignited public fury in South Korea, intensifying calls for legal reforms to restrict high-risk offenders.
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Cho, 72, was imprisoned for 12 years after his brutal assault on an eight-year-old girl in 2008 – a crime that horrified the nation and left deep scars on the local community. Since his release in 2020, he has been under constant police surveillance.
Recently, Cho moved to a new residence just 2km (1.2 miles) from his previous home in the city of Ansan in Gyeonggi province, local media reported.
The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency said it received a notice from the Ministry of Justice on Friday regarding Cho’s change of residence.
The relocation, reportedly due to the lease on his previous accommodation expiring, has sparked fear and outrage in the community. Residents, particularly parents, are alarmed by his continued proximity to schools, parks and family areas.
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In response to the public outcry, authorities have ramped up security measures. Police say they have installed a monitoring system at his home including 35 surveillance cameras, intensified patrols around his neighbourhood and plan to relocate a security centre closer to his new address.
“The previous special security centre is currently vacant, but the existing patrol system remains in place around the new residence,” a police official was quoted as saying by the Korea JoongAng Daily, adding, “We plan to move the special security centre once an appropriate location has been selected.”