Response from Cheong to Petition on School Violence Disguised as 'Sparing'... "Considering Strengthening Criminal Punishment for Juvenile Offenders"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Blue House has announced that it will "consider strengthening criminal penalties for juvenile offenders" in response to a public petition demanding strict punishment for school violence disguised as sparring.

Kang Jeong-su, head of the Blue House Digital Communication Center, responded on the 10th to the petition titled "Strict Punishment for School Violence Disguised as Sparring," stating, "We expect strict law enforcement through the judicial process."

The petition was submitted by a petitioner who identified themselves as the parent of a high school student living in Incheon, requesting severe punishment after their son was placed in a coma due to school violence disguised as sparring. The petition met the response criteria by gaining over 200,000 signatures within a month, with a total of 375,026 people agreeing.

Kang said, "After the incident, the school was notified of the matter through the police station and reported the related details to the education office. The education office held a School Violence Countermeasure Committee meeting to decide on protective measures for the victim student and decided on expulsion and additional special education measures for the perpetrators."

He added, "The police and prosecution have arrested and indicted the perpetrators on charges including serious injury and trespassing, and the trial is currently underway. It is difficult for the government to comment on the trial results."

At the education office level, a "Special Task Force for Incident Handling" was formed to provide comprehensive support for the victim and to devise eradication measures. A special survey on school violence was conducted targeting elementary, middle, and high schools in the area. The Education Safety Mutual Aid Association continues to support the victim’s medical expenses, and a separate "Wee Center" responsible for healing the victim is being planned for establishment in the region.

Considering the public perception that juvenile crime penalties are too lenient, the government is also reviewing strengthening punishments to prevent juvenile crime. Kang stated, "Several public petitions related to juvenile crime have exceeded 200,000 signatures. The government is carefully considering various measures to prevent and suppress juvenile crime."

Kang explained, "First, we are reviewing strengthening criminal penalties for juvenile offenders. The lenient punishments for juvenile crimes are spreading a tendency among some youths to disregard the function of criminal penalties."

He added, "In cases where the perpetrators’ actions and the damage caused are serious, as in this incident, strict criminal punishment should be imposed accordingly. Currently, bills related to strengthening criminal penalties, such as restricting the transfer of juveniles who commit serious crimes including sexual violence to juvenile courts, have been proposed in the National Assembly, and the government will actively support legislative discussions."

Additionally, the government plans to enhance probation, which accounts for the majority of protective measures. Moving away from the traditional directive and control-oriented probation, counseling and healing-type interviews using counseling experts will be activated, and nighttime guidance for probationary youths will be significantly strengthened. Support will be provided to ensure sufficient discussion in the National Assembly on the "Juvenile Act Amendment" aimed at early intervention after juvenile crime to prevent recidivism.

However, Kang emphasized, "Strict punishment alone is not the answer for juveniles; improvement through protection and attention is also important. The government will comprehensively review opinions on juvenile rehabilitation and social reintegration and continue discussions."

Kang concluded, "First, I would like to express my deep condolences to the victim student who suffered horrific violence and to the family going through a difficult time. I sincerely hope that the student’s body and mind recover quickly and that they can return to their daily life."

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