DNA Database Planned for Felons

By Kang Hyun-kyung, Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporters

The Ministry of Justice plans to convert a juvenile delinquent center into a prison for foreign inmates next year in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province.

Briefing President Lee Myung-bak on policies for next year at Cheong Wa Dae, Wednesday, Minister Lee Kwi-nam said more than 20 correctional officers fluent in English, Chinese and Russian will be assigned to the prison. As of December, 1,660 foreigners were behind bars, compared with 698 in 2005.

The minister added that to tackle the shortages of facilities and accommodate inmates, a privately-run prison will open in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, in the second half of 2010.

The Agape Foundation, a Christian charity organization, will finance its construction while the government will subsidize operational costs.

Those sentenced to terms of less than five years and well-behaved prisoners will be moved into the facility that can house 400 inmates.

Agape will provide various correctional programs including religious counseling, Lee said, adding that five government officers will monitor any possible human rights infringements.

The ministry is also to start taking samples from habitual criminals and those who commit serious crimes to build a DNA database.

According to the plan, murderers, sex offenders against minors, burglars, rapists and those who are involved in drug trafficking will be required to submit DNA samples.

Convicted criminals who sexually abuse children will receive up to 30 years in jail and the statute of limitations, will be extended until the victims turns 20 years old.

In addition, released convicts found guilty of murder, burglary and arson will be required to wear electronic ankle tags.

Currently, only sex offenders and those who kidnapped minors have to wear the device.

The prosecution will set up a child- and women-only interrogation room where recording devices will be installed so that victims will not need to repeat their statements of the ordeals they went through.

Psychologists and experts who analyze victims' statements will be allowed to join in the interviews, Lee said.

The measures against felons and for the protection of victims were drawn up after a series of sex crimes against children put the nation in uproar.

Experts and advocacy groups called for protective measures for child victims of sex crimes during investigations as those victims have had to repeat their statements regarding their experiences.

Human rights activists said the questioning made the children relive the horrific crimes.

With next year's local elections approaching, the ministry also unveiled plans to crack down on illegal campaigning.

To prevent election fraud, it will set up a center for scientific investigation aimed to investigate allegations.

Experts at the center will trace money flows and Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and look closely to see if there are any audit frauds using digital devices.

The nation will go to the polls next June to elect approximately 4,000 representatives, including governors, mayors and council members.

Regarding labor-management relations, Lee said zero-tolerance policies will be applied to illegal collective action such as protests, warning that if damage occurs as a result, those who are responsible will have to pay compensation.

hkang@koreatimes.co.kr
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr