Ruling Party and Government to Promote Life Sentences Without Parole and Dedicated Prisons for Heinous Criminals

Consideration of Full Coverage for Treatment Costs of Violent Crime Victims
Nationwide Expansion of Mental Emergency Joint Response Centers

The ruling party and the government have agreed to strengthen support for victims of heinous crimes such as ‘random crimes.’ They plan to operate dedicated prisons for heinous criminals and promote the introduction of life imprisonment without parole through government legislation.

On the 22nd, Park Dae-chul, the Policy Committee Chair of the People Power Party, revealed these response measures during a briefing after the ‘Ruling Party-Government Meeting on Measures Against Random Heinous Crimes’ held at the National Assembly.

The response direction of the ruling party and government is broadly aligned with three main goals: ▲victim protection ▲crime occurrence suppression ▲strengthening punishment for criminals.

Chairman Park said, "We will strengthen support for victims and their families and swiftly establish a one-stop support system," adding, "We plan to expand support for victims’ medical expenses, nursing care costs, and treatment-related expenses." He explained, "Currently, up to 15 million KRW annually and a total of 50 million KRW can be additionally supported through special resolutions, and we plan to activate such special resolutions further." He added, "The party has requested the government to consider full support if necessary." Furthermore, he introduced, "We will establish a one-stop solution center that provides systematic support for victims and assign dedicated personnel for one-stop support at the Crime Victim Support Center."

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the 'Random Heinous Crime Countermeasures Party-Government Council' held at the National Assembly on the 22nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

As measures to suppress crime occurrence, strengthening protection for people with mental illnesses and enhancing public safety measures were proposed together. Chairman Park stated, "Regarding the demand for the introduction of judicial hospitalization, we decided to discuss the specifics, including whether to introduce it, through a joint task force of related ministries," and added, "We will prepare effective hospitalization measures for high-risk mentally ill patients who pose a danger to themselves or others." The Mental Emergency Joint Response Centers, currently operating in some key locations, will be expanded nationwide. He explained, "We are currently deploying police bases and will continue until the public feels safe, and we plan to expand the scope of immunity for on-site responding police officers and increase legal support." Additionally, he said, "We will increase support to revitalize neighborhood watch groups and expand CCTV installation in crime-vulnerable areas such as walking trails." Regarding CCTV, measures to reinforce them with functional CCTV and other enhancements are reportedly under consideration.

Regarding strengthening punishment for criminals, it was decided to enhance penalties through both government and legislative bills. Chairman Park introduced, "Although there has been strong public demand, the introduction of life imprisonment without parole, which required various consultations, will be promoted through government legislation." He continued, "Crimes such as public intimidation and carrying weapons in public places will be pursued through legislative bills considering the urgency of the issues." He also stated, "To strengthen correctional rehabilitation for heinous criminals, we will promote the operation of dedicated prisons for heinous criminals." Regarding the introduction of mug shots and similar measures, Chairman Park explained, "Both the People Power Party and the government share a consensus and are promoting this."

Meanwhile, the ruling party and government stated regarding random crimes, "The term has a strong negative aspect and may even induce crime, so we have decided to use alternative terms such as ‘abnormal motive crimes’ going forward," and added, "We will further study and review terms that the public can easily accept, with ‘abnormal motive crimes’ being proposed as a first step."

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