Standards for Enhanced Punishment of Retaliatory Crimes Against Medical Professionals and Lawyers to Be Established

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Enhanced punishment standards for retaliatory crimes against medical professionals and lawyers will be established.

On the 15th, Kim Mi-ae, a member of the People Power Party, introduced a partial amendment to the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes to impose heavier penalties for retaliatory crimes against medical professionals and lawyers.

In June, an incident occurred where seven people died and 50 were injured after a lawyer's office was set on fire in retaliation against the opposing side's lawyer in a lawsuit. Additionally, there have been continuous retaliatory crimes such as murder, assault, injury, and threats against medical professionals and lawyers, including cases where patient guardians, dissatisfied with medical treatment at hospitals, swung sickles and attempted arson.

Accordingly, Representative Kim stipulated that if a murder is committed for the purpose of retaliation against medical professionals or lawyers, the perpetrator shall be punished by life imprisonment or imprisonment for at least 10 years. Furthermore, crimes such as injury, assault, and threats shall be punished by imprisonment for at least one year, and if such acts result in death, the punishment shall be life imprisonment or imprisonment for at least five years.

Kim explained the purpose, stating, "Medical professionals and lawyers play a role in protecting and safeguarding the lives and rights of the people, which brings them into close relationships with others. When the other party harbors dissatisfaction and commits crimes, the damage becomes more severe and can lead to significant social repercussions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.