Mugshots of Heinous Criminals Including Murder and Sexual Violence Released... Smoking Ban Expanded to '30m Around Schools'

Ministry of Government Legislation Introduces 'Laws Changing in 2024'

Laws Changing in 2024. Provided by the Ministry of Government Legislation.

From late this month, the faces of heinous criminals who have committed serious crimes such as murder or sexual violence will be publicly disclosed. Additionally, starting from the second quarter, a permit from the mayor or governor will be required to raise dangerous dogs.

On the 2nd, the Ministry of Government Legislation introduced the '2024 Legal Changes' which include these details. First, with the enforcement of the Serious Crime Personal Information Disclosure Act on the 25th of this month, prosecutors and judicial police officers can disclose the face, name, and age of suspects in certain serious crime cases such as murder and sexual violence that meet specific criteria including the brutality of the crime. Even if the case is changed to a specific serious crime during the trial process, prosecutors can request the court to disclose the defendant’s personal information. Unless there are special circumstances, the face will be disclosed as a recent image within '30 days.'

Also, starting next month, to raise ecosystem-harmful species such as raccoons and piranhas, one must obtain permission from or report to the Minister of Environment. Previously, permission was only required for importing or bringing in such species for sale, but under the Biodiversity Act effective from the 17th of next month, raising, transferring, transporting, or distributing these species also requires reporting or permission from the Minister of Environment.

From March, the act of purchasing performance tickets using so-called 'macro programs' and reselling them at a markup will be prohibited. Under the Performance Act effective from March 22, anyone who uses such programs to illegally resell tickets will face imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW.

Furthermore, to raise dangerous dogs such as Dosa dogs and Rottweilers, permission from the mayor or governor will be required. According to the Animal Protection Act effective from April 27, those who intend to raise dangerous dogs must meet certain requirements, such as subscribing to dangerous dog insurance, and obtain a 'dangerous dog breeding permit' from the mayor or governor. Violations will be punishable by imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW. In particular, minors, persons with mental illnesses, and drug addicts are prohibited from raising dangerous dogs.

In May, the Military Service Act, which provides legal grounds to prevent harassment of social service personnel, is scheduled to be enforced. From mid-June, under the Narcotics Control Act, medical practitioners handling narcotics must verify the medication records when prescribing certain narcotics or psychotropic drugs. Violations will result in fines of up to 5 million KRW.

Additionally, the Virtual Asset User Protection Act, which requires virtual asset service providers to separate users’ deposits from their own assets and deposit or entrust them to banks or other institutions, will be enforced from mid-July. Starting in August, smoking will be prohibited within 30 meters of kindergartens, daycare centers, and schools under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Previously, the no-smoking zone was within 10 meters, but the range will be expanded to 30 meters.

From October, vehicles of habitual drunk drivers whose licenses have been revoked will be equipped with drunk driving prevention devices. According to the Road Traffic Act effective from October 25, individuals who have been punished for drunk driving within the past five years and have had their licenses revoked again for drunk driving must obtain a conditional driver’s license requiring the installation of a 'drunk driving prevention device' to operate a vehicle. This device prevents the engine from starting if the driver is intoxicated.

From late December, the Waste Management Act, which emphasizes the 'principle of processing waste at the place of generation,' will be enforced. Heads of metropolitan local governments must process household waste generated within their jurisdiction at waste treatment facilities within their area or at metropolitan waste treatment facilities. However, if self-processing is difficult, they may coordinate with other metropolitan local government heads to transport the waste out of their jurisdiction.

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