Child sex offender Jo Doo-soon (73) is reportedly suffering from delirium symptoms, and his wife has also left home. According to a report by NoCut News on the 13th, Jo has shown signs of delirium since the beginning of this year, and his symptoms worsened after his wife left last month.
Jo Doo-soon is currently under probation at his home in Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. He is prohibited from going out during school commuting hours from 7–9 AM and 3–6 PM, as well as from 9 PM to 6 AM the next day. However, due to recent psychological anxiety, he violated the travel restrictions once more.
A police spokesperson explained to the media that Jo recently appeared outside his front door during the restricted hours, exhibiting anxiety by claiming, “Someone is insulting me,” and “I need to report to the police station.” He returned home immediately after being stopped by a probation officer and police.
This is not the first time Jo has violated the travel restriction order. In December 2023, he was sentenced to three months in prison for breaching the “curfew after 9 PM” order. He is currently on trial for four incidents of unauthorized outings from late March to early June this year and is also accused of damaging the electronic location tracking device inside his home.
Amid worsening delirium symptoms and repeated violations of the travel restriction order, there are growing calls for Jo to be placed under protective custody for treatment. Protective custody involves confining an offender with a high risk of reoffending to a national forensic hospital for treatment. Prosecutors have previously requested protective custody for Jo when indicting him for unauthorized outings.
An official from Ansan city stated, “With continuous monitoring by probation officers, police, and city officials, the immediate risk of crime is low. However, there is a lingering fear in the community that he could come out again at any time.” The official added, “Helping him receive mental health treatment through protective custody and live a normal life might be a more practical solution.”