In response to the controversy surrounding the 2.1 billion won deposit received by former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon-hee, during their incarceration, the Ministry of Justice announced plans to improve the system by establishing periodic deposit limits.
Lee Jin-soo, the acting Minister of Justice, stated during a comprehensive audit session of the National Assembly's Legislative and Judiciary Committee on October 26 that the current management of deposits does not align with the original intent of the regulations. He pledged to support prompt legislative action to address these issues.
According to data submitted to the National Assembly, former President Yoon received approximately 1.95 billion won from his re-arrest in July of last year until September 9, while Kim received about 240 million won after her arrest in August of last year, totaling 2.19 billion won.
Under the current Ministry of Justice guidelines, the deposit limit per inmate is set at 4 million won. Any amount exceeding this limit is transferred to the inmate's personal bank account, a process that has faced criticism for allowing correctional officers to act like personal assistants in managing withdrawals.
Lee suggested that establishing periodic limits would be more effective than simply setting an overall cap. He explained that without specific periodic limits, depositors may face inconveniences when needing to adjust amounts sent, and that clearer limits could help minimize negative consequences while ensuring inmates have access to essential living expenses, such as medical fees or purchasing goods.
Additionally, the audit addressed legal gaps related to recent incidents of domestic violence and stalking-related murders. Lee emphasized the need for legal amendments to allow for provisional measures to protect victims, even in the absence of direct violence or threats.
In response to Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-hee's concerns about the lack of penalties for stalking behaviors that do not involve direct violence, Lee acknowledged the existing gaps that make it difficult to impose penalties without accompanying acts of violence or coercion. He noted that victims often experience extreme anxiety, which could lead to serious crimes, and committed to advancing measures to enhance victim protection.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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