For the first time, specific sentencing standards have been established for animal abuse. (Image courtesy of Pixabay/CCL)
SEOUL, March 26 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s Supreme Court Sentencing Commission announced on Tuesday new sentencing guidelines aimed at strengthening penalties for animal abuse, sexual offenses, large-scale fraud, and violations of electronic financial transaction laws.
The updated guidelines, finalized during the commission’s 137th meeting on March 24, 2025, will apply to crimes prosecuted from July 1, 2025, onward.
For the first time, specific sentencing standards have been established for animal abuse. Killing an animal will carry a recommended sentence of four months to one year in prison or a fine between 3 million and 12 million won.
In severe cases, courts may impose up to two years in prison or fines of up to 20 million won. Inflicting pain or injury on animals will warrant two to ten months in prison or fines ranging from 1 million to 10 million won. The commission cited increasing public concern over animal welfare as a key factor in shaping these new standards.
The guidelines also introduce more detailed sentencing ranges for sexual crimes. Molestation in crowded public spaces, such as on subways, will result in six months to one year in prison.
Abuse of power or authority to commit molestation will carry a similar penalty, while coercive sexual acts will lead to sentences of eight months to one year and six months.
Notably, the commission removed “deposit payment” (known as gongtak), where defendants deposit money with the court in anticipation of victim compensation, from the list of mitigating factors in sexual crime sentencing.
The practice, often done without victim consent, had drawn widespread criticism for enabling leniency in sentencing without meaningful restitution.
In fraud cases, sentencing recommendations have been raised, particularly for large-scale offenses. Crimes involving more than 5 billion won in damages will see increased prison terms, and in cases exceeding 30 billion won, judges will be able to impose life imprisonment if the circumstances are deemed egregious.
The commission also eliminated language that previously considered the victim’s intention to seek short-term high returns as a mitigating factor for sentencing.
Additionally, punishments for violations of the Electronic Financial Transactions Act — such as trading bank accounts used for voice phishing schemes — have been significantly increased, reflecting growing public concern over financial scams.
While these sentencing guidelines serve as recommendations rather than strict mandates, judges must provide written explanations if they deviate from them. The Supreme Court emphasized that the revisions aim to address evolving social values and ensure sentences reflect the gravity of each offense as South Korea moves into 2026.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
