Sex-related crimes involving minors shock entire nation

In 2012, Korea was shocked by a series of sex-related crimes targeting minors.

In July, a 9-year-old girl in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang, was kidnapped and murdered by her 43-year-old neighbor. The suspect testified that he attempted to rape the girl after he was stimulated by child pornography, but murdered her when she fought back.

As many of the crimes were committed by ex-convicts, the government introduced a plan to tag them with electronic tracking devices. The policy received criticism for violating double jeopardy laws.

In October, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office declared that it will make it a rule to detain for investigation anyone suspected of having made or distributed pornography featuring minors or solicited minors to be involved in the production of a film.

But the prosecution relaxed the policy due to a manpower shortage in only three months, saying it will suspend the indictment for first-time offenders if they complete a 24-hour educational program. It doubted the efficiency of the government’s policies.