“Father’s Sexual Abuse Since Age 7: Sex Offender Blames Wife and Daughter in Prison Letter”

A Disturbing Narrative: The Case of a Sex Offender Father on MBC’s “True Story Expedition”

The January 23rd episode of MBC’s documentary program “True Story Expedition” highlighted a harrowing tale titled “Please Catch My Sex Offender Dad.” This episode centered around the life of a woman known by the pseudonym Lee Ji-ae, who detailed the traumatic impact of her father’s sexual offenses on her life and her children.

Struggles of a Single Mother

Lee Ji-ae recounted her challenging journey, revealing that she lived in a common-law marriage with her husband, Ko Jun-beom, for 13 arduous years, ultimately becoming a single mother to their two children after their separation at the end of 2018. Ji-ae narrated, “I met him when I was 18. We are 15 years apart. Within a month of our meeting, I was pregnant with our first child, which compelled us to move in together.” Unfortunately, the relationship soon devolved into violence, with her husband committing acts of physical abuse even towards their newborn.

The Cycle of Violence

The abuse escalated as Ji-ae frequently required medical attention due to the severity of her injuries. She admitted, “I was scared of disobeying my husband. The thought of abandonment terrified me.” Tragically, her eldest son became a victim at just five years old, recounting a particularly brutal incident: “He punched me in the face and once hit me in the solar plexus so hard that I passed out.”

A Daughter’s Brave Revelation

In a devastating turn, Ji-ae’s daughter disclosed that she too had been sexually abused by her father, beginning when she was just seven or eight years old. In July of last year, this revelation came as she confided in her mother, stating, “I was afraid to tell my mom because my dad would know it was me; I didn’t think I could share it with my brother.” This heartbreaking confession prompted Ji-ae to report the abuse to the Sunflower Center for support.

Expressing deep-seated anger, commentators on the show reacted with disbelief that such heinous acts could transpire within a family structure. Seo In criticized Ko Jun-beom, stating, “How could anyone commit such atrocities unless they are insane?” as another commentator, Park Ji-hoon, asked, “Is he even human?”

The Facade of Normalcy

Ji-ae continued her account by highlighting the stark contrast between her husband’s public persona and his private actions. She revealed how people in their community lauded him, stating, “There’s no father like him. Everything was for show.” Despite being a researcher at a prominent corporation with prestigious academic credentials, Ko Jun-beom’s outward appearances masked his abusive nature.

Investigations and Ongoing Challenges

Since 2023, Ko Jun-beom’s whereabouts have posed complications for the ongoing investigation. Currently 51 years old, he enrolled in a pharmacy school in the Philippines and was recently noted to be associating with a significantly younger local woman. Disappearing in December 2024 under dubious circumstances, reports later indicated he had been incarcerated.

Legal Proceedings and Financial Pressure

Facing charges of forcefully molesting a minor within familial relations, Ko Jun-beom has been indicted following Ji-ae’s report in July 2024. His letter to his daughter, wherein he attempted to justify his actions by blaming the deteriorating relationship with Ji-ae, drew harsh criticism from experts. Professor Lim Myung-ho condemned these attempts as “classic deflection”and labeled them extremely cowardly.

As the trial approaches, Ji-ae has voiced her worries that, despite the gravity of the case, the legal system may not adequately recognize the abuse due to its familial context. Additionally, she revealed that Ko Jun-beom had coerced her into maintaining a single-parent status, ensuring his name would not appear on official family documents. With substantial real estate holdings valued at over 3 billion won, his family is reportedly pressuring Ji-ae and her children to settle the case financially.