Jo Jin-Woong. Provided by Saram Entertainment

Han In-Sup, an emeritus professor at Seoul National University School of Law, expressed regret over actor Jo Jin-Woong, who announced his retirement following controversy about having been a juvenile offender, calling it “a very wrong solution.”

Emeritus professor Han In-Sup of Seoul National University Graduate School of Law (Law School) wrote on Facebook, “In the case of Jo Jin-Woong, he did wrong in his youth and received appropriate legal sanctions,” and added, “Regarding juvenile crime, while punishment is imposed, we seek to raise the possibilities of education and improvement so that they do not take the path of crime. That is the hallmark of juvenile justice. We do not call it a juvenile prison but use the name school for that reason.”

He continued, “That boy (Jo Jin-Woong) did not become trapped in a dark past and, after decades of effort, has reached a level of social recognition that deserves praise. Even now, for adolescents still wandering in the dark, he can serve as an excellent guide and model.”

He also said, “There is no reason to go around constantly publicizing past wrongdoing. We live within a system designed so that no one has to live with scarlet letters carved into resumes or into their foreheads.”

The emeritus professor sharply criticized the media that exposed the juvenile record of Jo Jin-Woong. He declared, “If someone, for the sake of an attack, whether motivated personally, politically, or by sensationalism, drags out decades-old history to bury the achievements of the present, the proper target of stern social condemnation should be the media, not the entertainer.”

He went on, “For such attempts at burying someone alive, the idea that Jo Jin-Woong would halt all activities is a very wrong solution. He should stand tall by refusing to be buried and by rising to confront such attempts,” adding, “Against the independence activists whom he (Jo Jin-Woong) admired, Imperial Japan employed tactics that seized on some personal weakness to twist the great cause and bury them alive.”

He added, “Entertainers, because they must be mindful of popular favor, may be the most vulnerable,” and continued, “Let us not join the foolishness of throwing stones just because others do, but wisely discern right and wrong. I want to see in him yet another image of a human being who overcomes challenges and setbacks.”

Earlier, attorney Kim Jae-Ryeon also criticized the media reports. On the 5th, Kim wrote on Facebook, “In light of the purpose of the Juvenile Act, although he is now an adult, reporting by naming a certain actor seems contrary to the intent of the Juvenile Act,” adding, “There are holes everywhere in society. Everything is in tatters.”

Singer Lee Jung-Seok also posted a message that appeared to defend Jo Jin-Woong, then deleted it.

Meanwhile, on the 5th, allegations arose that Jo Jin-Woong had been a juvenile offender. Dispatch, citing a source, reported that he had belonged to a bully clique during high school, and that he stole a vehicle with that group and was involved in a sexual assault case. It also said that in his second year of high school he stood criminal trial for robbery and rape under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes.

Late at night on the 6th, Jo Jin-Woong announced through his agency, “I humbly accept all reproach, and as of today I will suspend all activities and put a period to the path of being an actor,” declaring his retirement.