Gov't proposes law lowering criminal age limit by 1 year to 13

Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon speaks during a press conference at the government complex in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, Oct. 26. Yonhap

The justice ministry on Wednesday put up a pre-legislation notice about a law revision on lowering the age of criminal responsibility by one year from the current 14, officials said Wednesday.

Currently, minors aged between 10 and 14 ― referred to as criminal minors ― cannot be convicted of a crime in Korea. If such children commit offenses, they are referred to community service programs or youth correction institutions.

Under the new revised law, criminal minors will exclude 13-year-olds, and they will be subject to criminal punishment if they commit a crime.

The new law comes in line with an earlier campaign pledge by President Yoon Suk-yeol to lower the criminal age limit by two years to 12. (Yonhap)