Key facts
- South Korea's government intends to lower the age threshold for criminal liability for minors in violent cases.
- The proposed change would reduce the minimum age from 14 to 13.
- This initiative is driven by concerns over a rise in crimes committed by early teenagers.
- The justice ministry will establish criteria to define "violent crimes" for this purpose.
- The revised recommendation is slated for submission to a Cabinet meeting.
The South Korean government is preparing to propose a reduction in the age at which minors can be held criminally responsible, specifically for violent offenses. Sources indicate that the gender and justice ministries have reached a consensus to lower this threshold from the current 14 years to 13 years. This policy shift is a direct response to growing public concern over an increase in criminal activity among younger teenagers.