Han In Sup, a professor emeritus at Seoul National University Law School, expressed regret over the sudden retirement announcement by actor Cho Jin Woong, who recently became embroiled in a controversy regarding juvenile delinquency. Han In Sup criticized the decision, calling it "a very wrong solution."
Likening the public backlash to an attempt at a "social burial," the professor advised Cho Jin Woong to make a comeback, stating, "He must stand tall by rising against it without being buried alive."
On December 7, 2025, at approximately 12:11 AM KST, Han In Sup posted on Facebook sharing his views on juvenile justice, noting that Cho Jin Woong's misconduct occurred during adolescence and was revealed decades later.
He explained, "In Cho Jin Woong's case, he committed a mistake in his youth and received the appropriate legal sanction. While punishing juvenile crimes, the system also increases the possibility of education and improvement to prevent them from entering a path of crime. This is the characteristic of juvenile justice. That is why they use the name 'school' instead of 'juvenile detention center'."
He evaluated the actor's trajectory positively, stating, "The fact that the boy did not get trapped in a dark past but made efforts for decades to reach a level of social recognition as an actor is worthy of praise."
Furthermore, Han In Sup argued, "He can be an extremely good guide and model for teenagers wandering in the dark even now." This suggests that Cho Jin Woong could serve as a role model to encourage education and reform for juvenile offenders, rather than retreating from the public eye. The professor even suggested a "reverse idea" where the Ministry of Justice could appoint him as an ambassador.
Referring to the fact that this controversy was triggered by an exclusive report from Dispatch, Han In Sup criticized the press. He remarked, "There is no reason to go around advertising one's past mistakes. We live in a system designed so that no one has to live with a scarlet letter on their resume or forehead." He added, "If someone digs up past history from decades ago to bury a person's current reputation alive... the target who should receive stern social criticism is not the celebrity, but that media outlet."
Kim Jae Ryeon, a lawyer known for representing the victim in the sexual harassment case of the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won Soon, also pointed out issues regarding the media report.
On December 5, 2025, at around 10:26 PM KST, Kim Jae Ryeon posted on Facebook, citing Article 1 and Article 68 of the Juvenile Act. She noted, "The purpose of the Juvenile Act is to correct the character of antisocial youths and help them grow soundly," and "Reporting facts or photos that allow one to guess who the juvenile is regarding cases under investigation or trial pursuant to the Juvenile Act is punishable."
She expressed her opinion, stating, "Judging by the purpose of the Juvenile Act, reporting the real name of 'a certain actor,' even though he has become an adult, seems to run counter to the spirit of the Juvenile Act." She lamented, "There are holes everywhere in society. It is in tatters."
In his follow-up post, Han In Sup emphasized that Cho Jin Woong's declaration of retirement is essentially the result of the attempted "social burial." He asserted, "Cho Jin Woong stopping all activities in response to this attempt at burial is a very wrong solution," and reiterated, "He must stand tall by rising against such attempts rather than being buried."
Han In Sup also drew parallels to the actor's filmography. Cho Jin Woong played the independence fighter Chu Sang Ok (Soksapo) in the film 'Assassination' (2015), the protagonist Kim Koo in 'Man of Will' (2017), and narrated the documentary film 'Independent Army: The Unending War' (2025).
The professor elaborated, "Regarding the independence activists he liked, the Japanese imperialists used tactics to twist their great cause and bury them alive by seizing upon personal weaknesses."
At the end of his writing, Han In Sup proposed, "Celebrities are perhaps the most vulnerable existence because they must be conscious of public popularity. Let us not join the foolishness of throwing stones following others, but wisely distinguish right from wrong." Expressing hope for Cho Jin Woong's retraction of retirement or future return, he stated, "I want to see another example of resilience in him who overcomes challenges and frustration."
SEE ALSO: Cho Jin Woong announces retirement, apologizes for past misconduct “Humbly accepts all criticism”
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