Child sex offender Cho Doo-soon admitted to the charges at the first trial after being indicted on charges of leaving without permission four times during students' after-school hours.
The Criminal Division 1 of the Ansan branch of the Suwon District Court (Presiding Judge Ahn Hyo-seung) held the first trial on the 26th for Cho Doo-soon, who was indicted without detention on charges including violating the Act on Electronic Monitoring.
From late March to early June this year, Cho Doo-soon is accused of leaving his residence in a multi-family house in Ansan, Gyeonggi, without permission four times in violation of an "after-school hours outing restriction order."
Cho Doo-soon's restricted hours for going out are during school commute hours, 7–9 a.m. and 3–6 p.m., and at night from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day.
Cho Doo-soon is also accused of damaging a location-tracking electronic device inside his home.
When the judge asked Cho Doo-soon, "Have you received the indictment?" Cho briefly answered, "Yes."
When the judge then asked, "Do you want a citizen participation trial?" Cho responded by asking, "Citizens card?" The defense attorney leaned in and explained into Cho's ear.
Cho Doo-soon appeared to have hearing difficulty and attended the trial wearing a headset, but he did not fully grasp the judge's questions, asking back or seeking the defense attorney's help.
Prosecutors explained the indictment that Cho Doo-soon left his residence without permission this year and damaged the location-tracking device, then said treatment and custody, including medication, are needed because he suffers from a mental illness.
When the judge asked for his opinion on the indictment, Cho Doo-soon answered, "I will do as the judge rules. I have nothing to say, and I will reflect and repent."
The court decided to continue the trial, judging that although Cho Doo-soon confessed to the crime during the investigation, he is not acknowledging the entire indictment by saying things like, "I have never gone outside the house. There was no intent regarding the damage to the location-tracking electronic device."
That day, Cho Doo-soon did not pass through the courthouse entrance, moving directly from the prosecution building to the defendant's waiting room in the courtroom, avoiding exposure to the media and others.
In Dec. 2008, Cho Doo-soon was sentenced to 12 years in prison and served his term for kidnapping and raping an elementary school student and causing serious injury in front of a church in Ansan. He was released on Dec. 12, 2020. At about 9:05 p.m. on Dec. 4, 2023, he violated an "after 9 p.m. nighttime outing ban" order and was sentenced to three months in prison, which he served.
The second trial for Cho Doo-soon will be held on the 10th of next month.