South Korea Toughens Sex Crime Laws After Kidnapping

September 07, 2012 from LinkAsia via MBC

The kidnapping and rape of a seven-year-old girl last month in South Korea has led the government to consider expanding the use of chemical castration against convicted sex offenders. MBC reports on the tougher punishments for sex crimes.

(more) (less)

In This Video

South Korea

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a sovereign state located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. The name "Korea" is derived from Goryeo, a dynasty which ruled in the Middle Ages. Its neighbors are China to the west, Japan to the east, and North Korea ... Explore this topic

Chemical castration

Chemical castration is the administration of medication designed to reduce libido and sexual activity. Unlike surgical castration, where the testicles or ovaries are removed through an incision in the body, chemical castration does not actually castrate the person, nor is it a... Explore this topic

Sex offender

A sex offender is a person who has committed a sex crime or in some instances even mere public urination. What constitutes a sex crime differs by culture and legal jurisdiction. Most jurisdictions compile their laws into sections, such as traffic, assault and sexual. The major... Explore this topic

Rape

Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable o... Explore this topic

Kidnapping

In criminal law, kidnapping is the taking away or transportation of a person against that person's will, usually to hold the person in false imprisonment, a confinement without legal authority. This may be done for ransom or in furtherance of another crime, or in connection wi... Explore this topic

Sex and the law

This article examines how human sexuality and sexual behavior interact with, and are regulated by, laws. In general, laws proscribe acts which are considered either sexual abuse or behavior that societies consider to be inappropriate and against the social norms. In addition, ... Explore this topic

Seoul

Seoul, officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of more than 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world. The Seoul Capital Area, which includes the surrounding Incheon metro... Explore this topic

Lee Myung-bak

Lee Myung-bak was the tenth President of South Korea. Prior to his presidency, he was the CEO of Hyundai Engineering and Construction and the mayor of Seoul. He is married to Kim Yoon-ok and has three daughters and one son. His older brother is Lee Sang-deuk, a South Korean po... Explore this topic

Violent crime

A violent crime or crime of violence is a crime in which the offender uses or threatens to use violent force upon the victim. This entails both crimes in which the violent act is the objective, such as murder, as well as crimes in which violence is the means to an end, such as... Explore this topic

LinkAsia

From Beijng to Tokyo, from Seoul to New Delhi and beyond, LinkAsia takes viewers into media about Asia -- from Asia -- offering unfiltered insight into one of the most diverse, fast-paced regions of the globe. Each week, LinkAsia brings you a unique half-hour program that co... Explore this topic

Also See

South Korea

Chemical castration

Sex offender

Watch Next

2:04

South Korea's First Female President Sworn In

LinkAsia | Feb 25

Conservative new South Korean President Park Geun-hye surprised observers by toning down hardline rhetoric and emphasizing personal happiness and c...

Latest Headlines

Oklahoma Guv: Our Hearts Are Broken for the Parents

From Al Jazeera English | May 20

Raw Video: This Is the Monster Twister That Killed 51

From Telegraph.co.uk | May 20

Cop Kills Student Victim in Break In

From International Business Times | May 20

Get Link

Transcript

Yul Kwon:
The kidnapping and rape of a seven year old girl in South Korea late last month shocked the country. The latest in a rash of sexual assaults, it led to calls for tougher punishment against sex offenders. Earlier this year, South Korea used so-called chemical castration for the first time. Now, the government's considering expanding its use. Here's our broadcast partner MBC with the details.

Reporter:
The government has decided extend "Drug treatment to suppress sex drive", or chemical castration, to those committing sex offenses against minors. It is the 1st stage of toughening up punishment for sex crimes. The cabinet is considering a plan to use this drug treatment on those whose victims are under the age of 19. This is up from the current age limit of 16 years old.

Kim Hee-kyung, Prosecutor, The Ministry of Justice:
The Prosecution Service will aggressively try to expand the range of targets, and also monitor and recommend drug treatment recipients.

Reporter:
The government also plans to introduce a special law with additional punishment for offenses against the weak, such as pregnant women or people with disabilities.
Regulations on former sex offenders will be tightened as well. Updated photos and addresses will be added to informational alerts, which are mailed to those residing in offenders' neighborhoods. The use of electronic anklets on sex offenders may be enforced retroactively before the new law comes into effect. Additionally, the president's office stated that it would prepare a national sex crime elimination plan which includes the creation of a sex crimes unit within the National Police Agency.

LinkTV World News app now on the iPad!

Watch Next

Latest Headlines