Ministry of Justice Announces Legislative Notice on Expanding Treatment and Custody for Juvenile Sexual Offenders with Paraphilic Disorders

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is holding a briefing on the ruling of the Lone Star international investment dispute (ISDS) case at the Ministry of Justice building in Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi Province on the 31st. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Ministry of Justice announced the legislative notice on the 22nd for a partial amendment to the "Act on Treatment and Custody" to expand treatment and custody for child sex offenders with pedophilia.

Treatment and custody is a measure where offenders with tendencies such as drug addiction or pedophilia, who pose a risk of reoffending, are detained in facilities such as the National Forensic Hospital and simultaneously receive psychiatric treatment. According to the current Treatment and Custody Act, sex offenders with disabilities such as pedophilia can be subjected to treatment and custody for up to 15 years if the prosecutor requests it until the conclusion of the appellate trial. Extension of the period is only possible for murder offenders, up to 2 years per extension and a maximum of 3 times.

The Ministry of Justice initiated the amendment in response to rising public anxiety ahead of the release of Kim Geun-sik, who served 15 years for the serial sexual assault of over 10 minors, aiming to prevent recidivism.

The amendment supplements this by establishing a special provision allowing "post-treatment and custody" even after the request period for electronic monitoring subjects who committed sex crimes against children under 13 years old, have a high risk of reoffending, have a history of violating compliance requirements, and have pedophilia. Additionally, the treatment and custody period for high-risk pedophilic child sex offenders can be extended without limit on the number of times.

Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, stated, "Sex crimes against children are heinous crimes that our society must eradicate," and added, "Through this amendment, we will create an opportunity for the state to effectively protect children and adolescents."

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