Military Sexual Crimes Transferred to Civilian Jurisdiction...Related Bill Passed by Legislation and Judiciary Committee Subcommittee

If Passed by the Plenary Session, 'Effective from July 1 Next Year'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] A bill to have military sexual offense cases tried in civilian courts rather than military courts from the first trial stage passed the National Assembly's standing committee bill review subcommittee on the 24th.

The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee approved the amendment to the 'Military Court Act' containing this provision at the bill review subcommittee on the morning of the 24th. If the amendment passes the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 25th, it will be enforced from July 1 next year.

The amendment abolishes the High Military Court and assigns its role to the Seoul High Court.

Military criminal cases other than sexual offenses, such as non-military crimes, military rebellion, and military secret leaks, will be handled by civilian high courts from the second trial stage.

According to current law, both in peacetime and wartime, the first trial is under the jurisdiction of the Ordinary Military Court, and the second trial is under the High Military Court. Only the final trial is handled by the Supreme Court.

The amendment stipulates that in peacetime, the first trial will be handled by the Ordinary Military Court, and the second trial by civilian courts.

Meanwhile, the amendment transfers all investigation, prosecution, and trials of military sexual offense cases to civilian prosecutors and courts. Crimes committed before becoming a soldier and cases of soldier deaths will also be entirely transferred to civilian jurisdiction.

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