Human Rights Chair: "Juvenile Offenders Should Be Given Opportunities for Rehabilitation, Not Punishment"

Chairperson Ahn Changho Issues Statement on the 104th Anniversary of Children's Day

Ahn Changho, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, emphasized the need to shift policy focus toward children's rights and protection on the occasion of the 104th Children's Day. Regarding the recent discussions on lowering the minimum age for juvenile offenders, he expressed skepticism and stressed the importance of rehabilitation.

Ahn Changho, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On May 4, through an official statement, Chairperson Ahn said, "Lowering the age threshold for juvenile offenders is not an effective method for crime prevention; rather, it risks expanding stigma and discrimination, and could push children into the criminal justice system." He reiterated, "What we should be aiming for is not earlier punishment, but more substantial opportunities for rehabilitation."

He also pointed out the problem of early private education, such as English kindergartens and private academies for young children. He stated, "The spread of extreme early education, often referred to as the '4- and 7-year-old notification,' presents a serious children’s rights issue. Excessive early learning deprives children of time for play, rest, and self-expression, and hinders their growth and development."

On the issue of child abuse, he asserted, "Under no circumstances can violence be justified in the name of discipline," and emphasized, "There must be practical expansion of infrastructure such as shelters to ensure child safety, as well as effective support for the rehabilitation of victims."

He added, "Our society must reflect on whether we truly respect children as independent individuals and holders of rights," and continued, "A child's growth should not be measured by the speed of competition, but by the quality of time in which they are respected."

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