The victim of child rapist Cho Doo-soon and her family have decided to move to another town once Cho is released from prison next month and returns home to Ansan, Gyeonggi Province.
The girl's father told the Chosun Ilbo in a telephone interview on Thursday, "We signed a contract a few days ago for a new place in another part of Ansan. We haven't set a moving date yet, but we plan to leave our present home soon."
Cho (68) will be released from prison on Dec. 13 after serving just 12 years in jail and has decided to return to his home just a kilometer from the victim's current house.
"I asked my two daughters about what they think about moving and they told me they're now afraid to keep living here," the victim's father said.
The deposit for the lease on the new apartment was raised partially from donations. Yonsei University Professor Shin Yee-jin, who treated the victim, led the collection drive which was handled by the Korean Association Against Violence and Abuse.
Around W200 million have been collected and given to the victim's family (US$1=W1,115). "We were able to come up with the deposit thanks to the money raised," the father said. "We're extremely grateful to those who helped us. I don't know how I can repay them."
The father said it was frustrating for the victim to have to flee the assailant. "I still don't understand why we have to leave," he said. "I'm also concerned that we might give a bad impression, as if we're running away. I urge lawmakers to come up with measures to ensure that what's happening to us doesn't happen again."
