Fines Under 5 Million Won Can Be Split and Payment Deferred by Prosecutor's Discretion

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] To reduce accidents where fine defaulters die after being detained in labor camps, the Ministry of Justice has decided to allow installment payments or payment deferrals for fines of 5 million won or less.

According to the official gazette on the 22nd, the Ministry of Justice announced the "Partial Amendment to the Prosecution Execution Rules on Property Penalties, etc." on the 21st.

The amendment includes provisions that if a person obligated to pay fines or penalties is unable to be immediately detained in a labor camp due to illness or intoxication, and the amount is 5 million won or less, the prosecutor may decide ex officio to allow installment payments or payment deferrals.

Meanwhile, over the past five years, the proportion of labor prisoners among the average daily population in correctional facilities nationwide was 2.8%, whereas the proportion of labor prisoners among inmates who died during the same period was high at 14.4%. In May last year, a man in his 30s who had been suffering from panic disorder was detained at Busan Detention Center for failing to pay a fine of 5 million won and died two days later.

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