The South Korean government held its first public debate on the proposal to lower the age of criminal responsibility for juveniles, following a rise in juvenile crime.
The South Korean government recently initiated its first public debate concerning the proposal to lower the age of criminal responsibility for 'youth offenders,' a term used to refer to individuals aged 10 to under 14 who commit crimes. This discussion has been spurred by a notable yearly increase in the frequency of crimes committed by this demographic, leading to differing opinions on the necessity and implications of such a policy change. While some experts advocate for a reduction of the age from 14 to 13 to better align with societal sentiments and address rising crime rates, others argue that simply adjusting the age would not effectively prevent or suppress juvenile crime.
During a forum organized by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in collaboration with the Korea Youth Policy Institute, various stakeholders discussed the pressing issue surrounding the juvenile justice system in South Korea. Since the enactment of the criminal law in 1953, the regulations pertaining to juvenile offenders had not seen significant changes, prompting urgent calls for reform. Proponents of lowering the age cite substantial increases in juvenile crime statistics, with numbers doubling in recent years, and stress the need for legal frameworks that respond adequately to the changing nature of youth behaviors and societal expectations.
Contributing to the discourse, experts pointed to data revealing a rise in juvenile offenders classified as 'youth offenders,' which surged from 9,606 in 2020 to over 20,000 in 2024. The significant increase contrasts with a decline in criminal activity among slightly older youth aged 14 to 19. Furthermore, some police officers articulated views that support lowering the age, arguing that adolescents as young as 13 are capable of understanding the consequences of their actions and exhibit traits that justify legal accountability. This public forum represents a pivotal step in reshaping the juvenile justice landscape in South Korea, reflecting broader societal concerns about crime and youth accountability.
