By Lee Hyo-sik
Non-Koreans committing crimes on foreign soil will be subject to prosecution here as early as 2013, following sweeping revisions of the country’s criminal codes. The change is seen as Korea’s growing commitment to contribute to the international community’s efforts in combating terrorism and other organized criminal activities against humanity.
The Ministry of Justice said Tuesday that Cabinet approved a revised bill on the country’s criminal codes, providing legal grounds for the prosecution of foreign nationals who have committed a range of serious crimes abroad.
Among the offenses, those who illegally use explosives, as well as distribute and manufacture counterfeit currencies in foreign countries will be indicted if they are captured here by law enforcement authorities.
The current criminal laws only permit law enforcement agencies here to prosecute foreign nationals who either commit crimes against Koreans overseas or engage in illicit activities within the territory.
``The revised criminal codes will enable us to bring non-Koreans involved in serious criminal activities abroad to trial in the country, increasing our contribution to the global crime fighting efforts amid increasingly sophisticated terrorist organizations and crime rings,’’ a ministry official said.
He said those masterminding terrorist attacks, genocide and other crimes against humanity will be prosecuted and given harsh punishments. “Korea will continue to make more efforts to eradicate heinous crimes against humans as a member of the international community,” the official said.
Under the revised criminal codes, the ministry abolished the law punishing men who convince women into sleeping with them by making false promises of marriage.
The move came 16 months after the Constitutional Court ruled it unconstitutional on the ground of gender equality. The court said the law restricted women’s sexual rights to self-determination, adding it has been abused by women to threaten men and extort money from them.
Additionally, a judge’s discretionary authority to lessen the sentence will be restricted under the revision, a move to prevent favors granted to retired judges and prosecutors who open a private practice as a lawyer.
Those convicted of minor crimes and ordered to pay fines of less than 5 million won can be given a suspended sentence if they are proven to be financially unable to pay. Currently, many convicts usually have no choice but to spend time behind bars.