3 in 5 parents believe corporal punishment unnecessary: poll

The survey comes as the ministry seeks to prohibit parents from using corporal punishment. Gettyimagesbank

By Jung Min-ho

Six out of 10 parents believe corporal punishment is unnecessary for children's education, a poll showed Wednesday.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's survey, 60.7 percent of 4,039 respondents said corporal punishment is either “never needed” or “unnecessary” for children's education.

Another 37.9 percent said corporal punishment is “somewhat needed,” while 1.5 percent see it as “essential.”

But only 3.6 percent said they actually use corporal punishment on their children, while 96.4 percent said they seldom use it.

The survey comes as the ministry seeks to prohibit parents from using corporal punishment. In May, the ministry said it will work with the governing Democratic Party of Korea to revise related laws.

About 60 countries, mostly in Europe and South America, including Germany and Brazil, have prohibited corporal punishment of any kind for children.