Recommended Book for Korean New Year Holiday by Korea Publication Culture Industry Promotion Agency⑥ ‘What Is Prison: A Philosopher Asks and a Penologist Answers’

The Korea Publication Culture Industry Promotion Agency (Director Kim Jun-hee) Book Sharing Committee announced 7 titles, including Predators of the Alley (Smart Books), as 'Recommended Books.'

The Book Sharing Committee is composed of experts from various fields and introduces books in seven categories?literature, humanities and arts, social sciences, natural sciences, practical/general, picture books and fairy tales, and youth?each month along with recommendation notes to promote publishing demand and the spread of reading culture.

The 'Recommended Books for February' include a total of seven titles: Predators of the Alley (Smart Books), A Wise Speaking Dictionary for Dealing with Rude Friends (Sakyejul), Religious Studies for Youth (Gino), The World Just Left (Hankyoreh Publishing), About Believing Humans (Heureum Publishing), What Is Prison? (Wings of Knowledge), and The World of Quantum (Haenamu).

What Is Prison: A Philosopher Asks and a Correctional Expert Answers | Written by Lee Baek-cheol and Park Yeon-gyu | Wings of Knowledge | 140 pages | 13,000 KRW

In human society, there are ethics and morals. If these are violated, one faces criticism from others. However, if laws are broken, one is punished. Punishment confines the offender in prison and restricts their freedom. This book unfolds through Park Yeon-gyu asking questions and Lee Baek-cheol answering about the history, reality, and future of such prisons. Everyone naturally believes that those who commit crimes should be punished. However, the authors argue that punishment alone cannot change people.

Only those who have experienced love can love others, and only those who have been respected can respect others. Even criminals should be treated humanely to be able to repent and become beings who can ask for forgiveness. This book questions the relationship between crime and punishment while also considering the position of victims. The authors assert that beyond punishing offenders, active care for victims is necessary. Ultimately, they propose 'Peace-making Correction' as a future direction through forgiveness and reconciliation. This aims to minimize the difference between the inside and outside of prison walls. The authors envision a future where prisons transform from places of hostility and exclusion into places of inclusion and companionship.

- Jeong Su-bok, Sociologist/Writer

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