The National Assembly Raises Its Voice Against Retaliatory Crimes... Legislation for 'Heavier Punishment of Retaliatory Crimes' Also Proposed

At the entrance of the women's restroom at Sindang Station on Seoul Subway Line 2, where a female attendant was killed by a coworker who had been stalking her, citizens continue to visit to pay their respects. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] In relation to the recent string of 'retaliatory murders' such as the Sindang Station clerk murder and the Daegu lawyer's office arson tragedy, the National Assembly is also raising voices about the need for heavier penalties.

Jeong Woo-taek, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee from the People Power Party, cited data from the National Police Agency, stating that from 2018 to August of this year, there have been as many as 1,575 cases classified as retaliatory crimes under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Special Act). He emphasized, "Retaliatory crimes are a direct challenge to the rule of law and the national security system and must be strictly punished with heavier penalties."

Retaliatory crimes occurred 268 times in 2018, 294 times in 2019, and 298 times in 2020, then sharply increased to 434 cases last year. This year as well, 281 retaliatory crimes have occurred up to last month, maintaining a level higher than the average year.

Kim Mi-ae, a member of the People Power Party, warned of the risks of retaliatory crimes targeting medical professionals and lawyers, such as the 'Daegu lawyer's office arson tragedy,' and has introduced a bill to amend the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes to impose heavier penalties on retaliatory crimes against medical professionals and lawyers.

This bill stipulates that if a medical professional or lawyer commits murder for the purpose of retaliation, they shall be punished by life imprisonment or imprisonment for 10 years or more. For crimes such as injury, assault, or threats, the punishment shall be imprisonment for at least one year, and if injury, assault, or threats result in death, the punishment shall be life imprisonment or imprisonment for five years or more.

Rep. Kim said, "Medical professionals and lawyers play a role in protecting and safeguarding the lives and rights of the people, which brings them into close relationships with others. When the other party harbors dissatisfaction and commits a crime, the damage can be more severe and may lead to greater social repercussions."

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