Popular Broadcaster Defends Actor Jo Jin Woong Despite His Criminal Past Resurfacing

Broadcaster Kim Eo Jun has sparked a controversy by defending actor Jo Jin Woong amid his past crimes of robbery and rape resurfacing.

On December 9, KST, Kim Eo Jun made a statement on his YouTube channel, saying, “Is this a society where Jean Valjean cannot be born?” referring to the character from Les Misérables that struggles to lead a normal life after serving a 19-year prison term. Kim compared Jo to Jean Valjean, saying, “Is the story of a juvenile offender growing into a great actor and mature member of society unacceptable in our society?”

Addressing his 2.29 million subscribers, Kim stated that Jo Jin Woong was “targeted” during the Moon Jae In administration, adding, “I don’t know if it’s right to socially imprison him again.” After Jo Jin Woong’s criminal history was brought to public knowledge, the outrage against him grew so huge that he promptly announced his retirement from the entertainment industry. Despite this, Kim Ou Jun is not the only public figure who has defended him.

Actor Jo Jin Woong Retires Following Revelations Of Past Gangster Ties

Previously, attorney Kim Kyung Ho from Hoin Law Firm submitted a formal complaint against two Dispatch reporters who wrote the articles exposing Jo’s past crimes. Kim complained that they had violated Article 70 of the Juvenile Act through their actions. He argued that Jo had already lived a life of rehabilitation, likening him to Jean Valjean and stating, “I agree that the principle that it shouldn’t happen until the victim forgives is very persuasive and important,” but added, “I question whether it’s applied fairly in our society.”

Bone-Chilling Report Of Jo Jin Woong’s Alleged Crimes From 1994 Resurfaces Online

While multiple of Jo Jin Woong’s film industry colleagues and people from the legal circles have come out defending the actor, citing the principle of non-disclosure in juvenile cases, some of his colleagues have also exposed him for abusive behavior even after starting his acting career. An actor recently disclosed that Jo had assaulted a junior entertainment journalist physically several years ago. Additionally, on December 7, documentary filmmaker Heo Cheol accused Jo of more physical violence. Read more about it here:

Movie Director Exposes Horrifying Details of Random Violent Assault by Jo Jin Woong