Return of a serial rapist prompts authorities in Suwon to step up security measures

This Nov. 1, 2022 file photo shows Hwaseong residents demanding the eviction of Park Byung-hwa, a serial rapist who moved into an apartment building in the city after being released from prison. Park recently moved to Suwon, prompting city officials there to introduce additional security measures for residents in and around the ex-convict’s hometown. News

By Jung Min-ho

Authorities in Suwon are increasing security measures for the public following the return of Park Byung-hwa, a serial rapist who spent 15 years in prison for raping 10 women.

At a meeting at the city government’s Disaster and Safety Control Room on Thursday, Mayor Lee Jae-joon said he would use “all necessary means” to ensure the safety of all residents.

He then approved measures such as installing additional surveillance cameras inside and outside the building where Park lives and increasing the number of police patrols there.

This came after Park moved to a studio complex in Ingye-dong, a busy neighborhood near many administrative buildings, hotels and shopping.

It remains to be seen whether these measures will ease residents’ fears. When Park, 41, was released from prison in 2022 after serving a 15-year sentence, he moved to a studio complex in the city of Hwaseong, sparking violent protests from nearby residents.

The building owner, unaware of Park’s criminal record, later filed an eviction lawsuit, but a court ultimately dismissed the petition.

At the time, Jeong Myeung-geun, the city’s mayor, called for stricter legal measures to better protect residents and spoke to many lawmakers and journalists.

Park recently moved to Suwon, the city where he sexually abused 10 women in their 20s, including one pregnant woman, between 2002 and 2007.

Park’s release in 2022, along with that of another notorious sex criminal, Cho Doo-soon, 71, also the same year, sparked a political debate over whether Korea should enact its own version of Jessica’s Law. Such legislation would aim to restrict the location of sex offenders with the aim of protecting the public and minimizing the opportunities for these individuals to re-offend.

However, given opposition from the Democratic Party of Korea on freedom of movement grounds, such a bill proposed by the Ministry of Justice could never reach the plenary session of the National Assembly.