Notorious child rapist may receive basic living allowance

Cho Doo-soon, one of Korea's most notorious child rapists, leaves a probation center in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, Dec. 12, after being released from prison earlier in the day. / Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-seok

By Jun Ji-hye

Cho Doo-soon, one of Korea's most notorious child rapists who was released from prison last month, has applied for the basic livelihood security program, claiming that he and his wife are suffering financial difficulties.

The government of Ansan City, Gyeonggi Province, which is currently examining Cho's application, said Friday that the couple seems to satisfy the conditions qualifying them for the government allowance as Cho, who is over 65 years old, is categorized as an elderly citizen who is incapable of work.

His wife is under 65, but has faced difficulties finding a job due to a chronic illness in addition to her “high-profile” husband, according to city officials.

If the application is approved, Cho and his wife are expected to receive about 1.2 million won ($1,100) per month in welfare allowances.

Cho was released from prison, Dec. 12, after serving a 12-year term for kidnapping an eight-year-old girl who he violently raped repeatedly in a church bathroom in Ansan in 2008. The victim sustained severe injuries including intestinal ruptures, leading to permanent physical damage.

Cho applied for the welfare assistance a few days after he returned to his home in Ansan following his release from prison.

“Cho and his wife are almost incapable of making money,” an Ansan City official said. “We are still examining his application, but there seems to be no major problem in approving his application for the welfare benefits.”

With regard to public criticism against Cho, the official said the basic livelihood security program is a welfare system granted on humanitarian grounds.