"‘They’re Juvenile Offenders, So Kill Them’... The Twist in the Case of Middle Schoolers Drunk and Disorderly at a Motel in Pohang"

Over 14 Years Old, the Age Threshold for Juvenile Offenders... Criminal Punishment Possible

Photo by YTN Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Teenagers who drank alcohol and smoked cigarettes at a motel in Pohang, Gyeongbuk, insulted the police and the business owner, claiming they were 'chokbeopsonyeon' (juveniles exempt from criminal punishment). However, it was revealed that their ages exceeded the chokbeopsonyeon standard of 14 years old.

According to YTN Plus on the 14th, on the 10th, minors checked into an unmanned motel in Pohang, Gyeongbuk, held a drinking party, smoked cigarettes, and left cigarette butts on the floor of the room, leaving the interior in disarray.

The business owner, Mr. A, claimed, "The bedding and mattress were damaged with holes from cigarette butts, the window handle was broken, the entrance door handle was broken, and there were damages such as customer refunds due to loud noise after the police arrived."

He continued, "I reported to the police and watched them, but the students showed no signs of remorse and instead continued to use abusive language such as 'We are chokbeopsonyeon, if you want to kill us, go ahead'."

In a video released by YTN, the students are seen insulting and mocking the police who arrived after the report, saying things like "Do you want to hit us? Go ahead and hit us," and "Try to kill us." They even boldly asked, "Is it illegal for boys to come to a motel together?"

Mr. A explained, "On the morning of the incident, someone claiming to be the child's parent called and almost interrogated me, asking 'What are you going to do?' They said they would file a lawsuit through a lawyer and, if necessary, bring in an appraiser to assess the damaged items. When I said that, they responded as if daring me to try."

He added, "Even without compensation or settlement money, it wouldn't affect my business. But the behavior of the kids and their parents is very outrageous. I hope an environment is created where other minors do not have the ignorant idea that they won't be punished if they commit such acts."

Meanwhile, the middle school students involved in the incident claimed they were 'chokbeopsonyeon,' but police investigation revealed that they were born in 2006, exceeding the chokbeopsonyeon age limit of 14 years old.

Under criminal law, minors are classified into three categories: crime juveniles (ages 14 to under 19), chokbeopsonyeon (ages 10 to under 14), and law-violating juveniles (under 10). Crime juveniles can be held criminally responsible if they commit a crime.

A police official who responded at the time said, "At first, we went to the scene to assess the disturbance caused by minors. During the investigation, it was determined that the boys were over 14 years old and that charges such as property damage could be applied to them, so the case is under investigation."

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