(image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Aug. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — A recent survey has revealed that most South Koreans think the punishment for digital sex offenders is no more than a slap on the wrist.
According to a survey conducted jointly by Team Flame, a group of university student reporters, and Project ReSET, a civilian organization, of 7,509 South Koreans, 99.8 percent of the respondents said that the level of punishment faced by those who commit digital sex crimes is too weak.
In response to a question asking who is responsible for such lax punishment, 96.5 percent (multiple answers possible) pointed at judges, while 84.5 percent chose prosecutors and police, and 74.2 percent, lawmakers.
At 98.8 percent, virtually all of the respondents shared the view that the Ministry of Justice does not take digital sex crimes seriously, while 91.4 percent said that an advisory board is needed to participate in determining the level of punishment for digital sex crimes.
As for a question asking what the Ministry of Justice or the Sentencing Commission of the Supreme Court could do to reduce digital sex crimes, 53.8 percent stressed the need for ‘aggravated punishment’ and ‘stronger sentencing.’
With respect to the level of sentence appropriate for digital sex crimes, many respondents said that the minimum sentence should be seven years in prison for those who make or distribute obscene materials by abusing children or teenagers and six years in prison for those who take photos or film someone without permission.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
