'Fraud Sentencing Doubled'... Approved by Judiciary Committee's Bill Subcommittee

Maximum Sentence Increased from 10 Years in Prison or 20 Million Won Fine
to 20 Years in Prison or 50 Million Won Fine
Concurrent Offenses Now Allow Up to 30 Years in Prison
Review Continues on Controversial "Four-Instance Trial System" Amendment

A bill to strengthen the maximum sentence for fraud, which currently stands at up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won, to "up to 20 years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won," passed the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's Bill Review Subcommittee on the 19th.

On this day, the first Bill Review Subcommittee of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee approved an amendment to the Criminal Act that significantly increases the statutory punishment for fraud. There have been growing concerns that, despite the sharp rise in large-scale fraud crimes such as jeonse fraud, voice phishing, and investment advisory scams, the sentencing standards remain too lenient.

Under the Criminal Act, when multiple crimes are committed, the court may increase the maximum sentence for the most serious offense by up to 50% under the principle of aggravated sentencing for concurrent offenses. As a result, the maximum sentence for fraud has been limited to 15 years in prison. If the amendment passes, the maximum sentence for concurrent fraud offenses will rise to 30 years in prison.

On the 19th, at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's Bill Review Subcommittee held in the National Assembly, Chairman Kim Yongmin is striking the gavel. 2025.11.19 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

In addition, the subcommittee passed an amendment to the Constitutional Court Act to extend the retirement age of Constitutional Research Officers from the current 60 to 65, as well as an amendment to the Act on the Execution of Sentences and Treatment of Inmates to strengthen support and human rights protections for the children of inmates.

Constitutional Research Officers are special government officials who assist Constitutional Court Justices by conducting investigations and research related to constitutional adjudication cases. While the retirement age for judges and professors at national and public universities-whose work is similar-is 65, the retirement age for Constitutional Research Officers has been 60, raising concerns over fairness. Furthermore, as the number of cases received by the Constitutional Court increases, the need to extend the retirement age of Constitutional Research Officers has become more pressing due to staffing shortages.

The amendment to the Act on the Execution of Sentences and Treatment of Inmates newly defines the term "children of inmates" and requires that support and human rights protection measures for these children be included in the basic plan. It also adds a provision requiring correctional facilities to consider the residence of inmates' children when determining the place of incarceration.

Meanwhile, at the same meeting, a partial amendment to the Constitutional Court Act regarding the establishment of a "four-instance trial system," which has sparked controversy, was introduced and discussed, but it was decided to continue the review.

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