South Korea to Lower Age of Criminal Responsibility for Serious Offenses

The South Korean government has decided to lower the age of criminal responsibility for serious and habitual offenders from 14 to 13 years old.

According to Yonhap News, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the Ministry of Justice have reached a consensus to adjust the age threshold for criminal minors to 13 years only for severe crimes such as murder, robbery, and sexual offenses.

Initially, a social dialogue committee aimed at discussing the age of criminal responsibility recommended maintaining the current age range of 10 to 14 years after public consultations in March and April. However, growing concerns over serious juvenile crimes and public calls for a lower age limit prompted the government to propose a compromise.

A survey conducted by Gallup Korea in March found that 81% of respondents aged 18 and older supported lowering the age of criminal responsibility. While experts generally advocated for keeping the current age limit during the public discussions, many ordinary citizens and youth participating in online forums expressed support for a reduction.

The government plans to present the revised recommendation to the Cabinet meeting as early as June 30. However, some details may be adjusted based on the meeting's outcomes.

The specific definition of serious crimes has yet to be finalized. The Ministry of Justice intends to refer to a proposed amendment to the criminal law introduced in the 21st National Assembly to establish detailed criteria. This bill includes serious offenses such as murder, robbery, sexual crimes including rape and sexual assault, and group violence, and stipulates that individuals sent to juvenile detention centers three times or more would not be exempt from criminal responsibility.

Lawmakers from both parties who proposed the amendment stated, "The current age limit for criminal minors was established when the criminal law was enacted in 1953. Today, adolescents are more physically and mentally mature, and there has been an increase in serious juvenile crimes, particularly sexual offenses."