In light of President Yoon's comments about the necessity to lower the age for delinquent minors, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of South Korea has reaffirmed its stance against this proposal. During their fifth permanent committee meeting held in Seoul's Jung-gu district, NHRC members decided to maintain their previous position, citing a lack of evidence showing that lowering the delinquent age would effectively reduce youth crime. They also highlighted that the suggested changes do not align with international human rights standards. This decision is consistent with their earlier opposition expressed in 2018 and 2022, emphasizing the need for caution in legal reforms concerning minors.

The discussions were spurred by a recent suggestion from Committee Member Lee Sook-jin to briefly deliberate on the issue of lowering the delinquency age. Other committee members echoed sentiments of maintaining their opposition unless compelling new evidence arises. Notably, the commission chair, Ahn Chang-ho, announced plans to coordinate with the general secretary to determine a timeline for officially announcing their stance. The potential lowering of the delinquency age intersects significantly with public opinion, which President Yoon cited during a recent cabinet meeting, indicating a belief that a majority of citizens support lowering the threshold from 14 to 13 years.

The age of delinquency, defining individuals between the ages of 10 and under 14 who engage in criminal acts, has been part of South Korea's legal framework since the 1953 Criminal Act was enacted, with no changes made since then. Given that minors under 14 are classified as legally incapable of crime, redefining this age threshold is a contentious topic amid rising youth crime concerns and calls for legal reforms. The NHRC's resistance reflects a broader debate on how to balance safeguarding young individuals' rights while addressing societal safety concerns effectively.