Handonghun "Victims' Rights Come First"... Refuting Human Rights Concerns Over 'Life Sentence Without Parole'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon rebutted concerns that a "life sentence without parole" (absolute life imprisonment) could violate human rights by saying, "Now is the time to prioritize the human rights of victims and their families over those of the perpetrators."

Minister Han appeared at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee plenary session on the 23rd and stated, "I do not think it is futile to send a message to suspects who have committed serious violent crimes that they will no longer have a chance at life due to this punishment."

He added, "In the United States, almost all states recognize life sentences without parole," and "(life sentences without parole) can still be subject to special pardons or sentence reductions."

He also said, "The most reasonable argument against the death penalty is that if there is a wrongful conviction, it cannot be reversed, but this system is different," and "If such a situation arises, it can be changed through retrial, so it is difficult to accept the argument that it fundamentally infringes on basic rights."

At the meeting, Kim Young-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, raised concerns about human rights violations, saying, "There are also reports that Germany and the European Court of Human Rights have judged that life sentences without parole do not conform to human dignity."

Rep. Kim also said, "Since the death penalty is still maintained, if life sentences without parole are introduced, those who should receive the death penalty might instead receive life sentences without parole, which could cause confusion in sentencing, so a detailed review is necessary."

Rep. Park Beom-gye of the same party said, "Parole systems exist worldwide and are also active in our country, and since correctional capabilities and administration have developed well, the life sentence without parole system could potentially undermine the value of the parole system."

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