Ministry of Justice Encourages Active Use of Community Service System for COVID-19 Fine Defaulters

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Ministry of Justice has decided to actively utilize the 'Community Service System for Fine Defaulters' to assist those unable to pay fines due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the 7th, the Ministry of Justice announced, "In order to minimize cases where citizens who cannot pay fines are incarcerated in prisons or detention centers, we will actively use a system that allows fines to be replaced with community service."

The 'Community Service System for Fine Defaulters' is a system that substitutes community service for imprisonment or labor in prison or detention centers when a person is unable to pay fines.

Those who wish to use this system must apply to the prosecutor's office, obtain court approval, and then perform community service designated by the probation office with jurisdiction over their residence.

Community service mainly involves helping with labor shortages in rural areas such as assisting with farm work and improving residential environments, as well as supporting the lives of marginalized groups.

A Ministry of Justice official stated, "We expect this to contribute to alleviating the economic difficulties of ordinary citizens who cannot pay fines due to livelihood hardships caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic."

With the revision of the Enforcement Decree of the Special Act on the Execution of Community Service for Fine Defaulters in January, the fine amount eligible for community service application was expanded from 3 million won or less to 5 million won or less.

Last year, among 458,219 people sentenced to fines of 3 million won or less, only 7,413 people, or 1.6%, applied for community service.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.