[LETTERS TO THE EDITOR]Kill the death penalty

As the governing circle and some opposition lawmakers wish to end capital punishment in our country, debates on the death penalty have been revived after a recent serial murder case. Those who oppose the death penalty emphasize that there is the possibility that innocent people could be executed through misguided court judgments. Some others say that capital punishment leaves unforgettable scars in the hearts of the families of executed convicts.
On the other hand, death penalty supporters say it’s necessary to protect the public. In the past, I used to think that the death penalty was still needed in our country. I thought strict laws would prevent crimes. I used to wonder why we should protect the rights of a criminal who ignored the human rights of others. My belief, however, was completely changed after seeing a TV program on the death penalty recently. The images were extremely shocking.
Those prison officials who carry out capital punishment often disagree with the death penalty. I also wondered if the death penalty is actually effective. Despite our country’s capital punishment system, violent crimes such as those of Yoo Yeong-cheol is suspected of continue.

by Park Seung-min