Is the Business Owner Responsible if Youths Lie About Their Age to Buy Alcohol? Lee's 'Itaewon Class Act' Pledge

Lee Jae-myung, "I Will Create a 'Law to Prevent Sole Responsibility for Business Owners'"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, promised on the 27th to "enact the 'Seller Protection Act'." He explained that this law aims to improve the unreasonable reality where the seller bears full responsibility if a minor deceives their age and purchases alcoholic beverages.

Photo by Lee Jae-myung, Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Facebook

On the same day, Lee posted his 54th 'Small but Certain Happiness (So-hwak-haeng)' pledge on Facebook, stating, "We will strengthen the punishment for underage drinking by minors who lie about their age and lower the age threshold for juvenile offenders."

Lee said, "If a minor purchases alcohol using forged or stolen identification, the seller will be exempt from liability." He also said, "In cases where alcohol is purchased through deception or coercion, the minor will be held responsible, and the seller will be exempt," pledging to enact the so-called 'Itaewon Class Act (Seller Protection Act).'

He also emphasized plans to lower the upper age limit for juvenile offenders, currently set at 14 years old. Juvenile offenders refer to children and adolescents aged 10 to under 14 who commit crimes but are not subject to criminal punishment. Instead of criminal penalties, they receive protective measures under the Juvenile Act.

Lee stated, "We will determine the appropriate age based on the developmental level of youth and societal awareness."

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