By Kang Hyun-kyung
Sex offenders will likely face tougher penalties.
Under a new package of measures drafted by 11 ministries, those who are convicted of molesting or raping children will not have their sentences suspended.
The number of sex offenders receiving suspended jail terms has risen in recent years ― it stood at 28.9 percent in 2008 and jumped to 45.1 percent in 2012.
The ministry will submit revisions to related laws to the Sentencing Committee of the Supreme Court later this month.
The minimum jail term for people committing sexual offenses against those below the age of 16 will rise to seven years from five years.
The prosecution will be obliged in principle to appeal cases involving sex criminals if court sentences are lower than those sought by prosecutors.
Those who produce, sell or circulate child pornography will also be subject to heavier punishment.
Harsher punishments will also be imposed on civil servants convicted of sexual assault. The government will fire them and divest them of their state pension.
"The comprehensive steps against sex offenders are aimed at preventing crime and producing a swift anti-sex-offense response to assuage public concerns," said Cho Yoon-sun, minister of gender, equality and family, at a press conference.
The government will recommend the private sector to adopt measures to prevent sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace in their codes of conduct by the end of the year.
To prevent sex offenses, the government will install 11,285 more surveillance cameras across the nation by 2015.
It will also place more police officers, private security personnel and volunteers to protect children and teenagers.
It will set up more support centers for the victims of sexual offenses, with victims being eligible for free law consultation service.