Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon Calls for Review of Lowering the Age of Criminal Responsibility for Juvenile Offenders

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, has begun preparatory work to promote the government's national agenda of lowering the age of criminal responsibility for juvenile offenders.

According to the legal community on the 9th, Minister Han ordered at the Ministry of Justice's weekly executive meeting the day before to review related matters for the prompt advancement of the realistic adjustment of the age criteria for juvenile offenders. It was reported that he emphasized the need for cooperation among relevant departments, as it is necessary to review not only lowering the age of criminal responsibility but also whether the guidance and correctional rehabilitation of juvenile offenders are appropriate.

Juvenile offenders refer to youths aged 10 to 14 who commit criminal acts. These criminal minors receive protective measures such as community service or placement in juvenile detention centers instead of criminal punishment, even if they commit crimes. Recently, there have been repeated cases of violent juvenile offenders exploiting this, leading to calls for legal amendments.

President Yoon Suk-yeol pledged during his candidacy to lower the upper age limit for juvenile offenders from the current under 14 years old to under 12 years old. The Ministry of Justice also stated in a report to the Presidential Transition Committee that it would consider lowering the age criteria for juvenile offenders to implement the national agenda.

However, considering public opposition and practical difficulties regarding lowering the age of juvenile offenders, the policy is expected to be pursued cautiously. It was also reported that Minister Han emphasized the need to accurately inform the public during the policy implementation process to avoid misunderstandings that it would produce many juvenile offenders, as even if the age of criminal responsibility is lowered, cases with minor offenses can still receive juvenile court protective measures.

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