The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
  • Translation Award
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • all menu
  • search
  • facebookfacebook
  • twittertwitter
  • youtubeyoutube
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • all menu
  • search
  • facebookfacebook
  • twittertwitter
  • youtubeyoutube
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Sat, December 14, 2019 | 21:54
Harsher punishment urged for pedophiles
Posted : 2012-01-24 17:20
Updated : 2012-01-24 17:20
Lee Hyo-sik
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Lee Hyo-sik

Most citizens think that sex offenders preying on minors should be subject to harsher punishment than murderers, a survey by the Supreme Court showed Tuesday.

It said the finding reflects the growing public awareness of child sex abuse, following last year’s release of a film based on a true story about sexual assaults against disabled students by teachers at a Gwangju school.

In a joint survey of 1,000 citizens and 900 prosecutors, lawyers and other legal experts, 26.1 percent said those sexually assaulting children under 13 should face more severe penalties than murderers.

About 38 percent said both sex offenders and murderers should be subject to the same level of punishment.

“Survey results indicate that people turned less tolerant toward sexual assaulters victimizing minors, following a series of high-profile rape cases involving child victims,” a Supreme Court official said. “Additionally, the movie titled “Dogani,” or “The Crucible,” released in September last year highlighted the severity of child sex abuse.”

The film featured sexual assaults against hearing-impaired children by teachers and school staff at the Gwangju Inhwa School for years since 2000, causing public uproar and forcing law enforcement authorities to take belated legal action against the perpetuators.

According to the survey, 81.1 percent of legal professionals said the court should hand out a suspended sentence to sex offenders assaulting adults if they reach a civil settlement with their victims.

On the other hand, 58.2 percent of surveyed citizens said sex offenders should be put behind bars regardless of a settlement with victims or not.

The survey also showed that nearly 50 percent of citizens think men who rape step-daughters or others distantly related by blood should face imprisonment of over seven years.

But 42.1 percent of legal professionals said less than three years in jail would be appropriate for such criminals.

The Supreme Court plans to reflect the survey results in its soon-to-be-revised sentencing guidelines for sex offenses, physical assaults and other legal violations.

The nation’s top court will make a final decision on the details of the sentencing guidelines at a policy-setting meeting on Jan. 30.


Emailleehs@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter








 
 
  • numberSecond Korean War 'possible'
  • numberMacron option for Korea
  • numberKorean food delivery giant merged into German rival in $4 billion deal
  • numberEx-dictator Chun seen at lavish luncheon on coup anniv.
  • numberSamsung to strengthen foothold in China
  • numberKim Gun-mo countersues alleged rape victim
  • numberSeoul to use all 'cards available' to pay less for USFK
  • number S. Korea to propose establishing joint funds for wartime laborers
  • numberMobile TV on verge of fading away from smartphones
  • numberHyundai Motor, Grab partner on EV-based car hailing service in Indonesia
  • Male rapper convicted of sexually insulting female singer in lyrics Male rapper convicted of sexually insulting female singer in lyrics
  • Actor Kim Soo-hyun to set up own agency Actor Kim Soo-hyun to set up own agency
  • Actor Lee Byung-hun confident with his new film 'The Man Standing Next' Actor Lee Byung-hun confident with his new film 'The Man Standing Next'
  • Cosmic Girls' Dawon takes forced rest over mental distress Cosmic Girls' Dawon takes forced rest over mental distress
  • Record-breaker: BLACKPINK Jennie's 'Solo' hits 400 million views Record-breaker: BLACKPINK Jennie's 'Solo' hits 400 million views
DARKROOM
  • Children deserve better

    Children deserve better

  • Global climate change: time is running out

    Global climate change: time is running out

  • CA cave fire burns more than 4,300 acres

    CA cave fire burns more than 4,300 acres

  • No money, no hope: South Korea's 'Dirt Spoons'

    No money, no hope: South Korea's 'Dirt Spoons'

  • Hong Kong democrats score historic victory

    Hong Kong democrats score historic victory

  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Ombudsman
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright