Lee Hyo-sik is Finance Desk editor at The Korea Times. He manages finance-related stories on macroeconomics, banks, stocks, bonds, crypto etc. He is passionate about covering what's happening in Korea's financial industry and explaining it to both Korean and non-Korean readers. You can reach him at leehs@koreatimes.co.kr. Your insights and feedbacks are always appreciated.
Childcare allowed for detained women
By Lee Hyo-sik
Police said Sunday that detained female offenders can take care of their babies at detention centers if the infant is 18 months old or younger as part of efforts to improve the human rights of criminal suspects under police custody at detention centers.
Additionally, pregnant suspects whose identities and addresses are confirmed will neither be handcuffed nor bound with ropes when being transported. Previously, only senior citizens aged over 65, the disabled and the sick were not shackled while being transported.
The National Police Agency announced these and other changes, which went into effect beginning October.
Police will provide them with childcare facilities and essential items. If offenders are incapable of caring for their babies due to illnesses or physical injuries or if the infants are sick or sustain injuries, childcare will not be allowed on the premises.
Police have also decided to expand the list of items banned in holding cells. Shoe strings, eye glasses and unidentified medical goods have been added.
In the past, belts, neckties, lighters and other items that can be used by suspects to commit suicide have been barred.
A police officer said the new measures are aimed at better protecting the human rights of pregnant women, the elderly and other socially vulnerable groups of people.