Juvenile Offender Age Conditionally Lowered to 13... Recommendation to Be Finalized Today

Recommendation to Be Finalized on the 29th, Reported to the Cabinet on the 30th

The government will finalize its recommendation regarding the lowering of the age threshold for criminal minors (so-called "juvenile offenders") on June 29, 2026.

On this day, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is set to confirm a plan to lower the age for juvenile offenders involved in "serious crimes" such as murder and robbery from the current 14 years old to 13 years old. The ministry will report this plan at the Cabinet meeting scheduled for June 30, 2026.

Under current law, boys and girls aged 10 years or older but under 14 are subject to protective measures, rather than criminal punishment, even if they commit a crime.

Previously, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family organized a "Social Dialogue Council for the Discussion on Juvenile Offender Age," which held public discussions in March and April and leaned toward maintaining the current age standard. Experts argued that improving the protection and rehabilitation system for juvenile offenders should take priority over adjusting the age, citing concerns over stigmatization and doubts about the effectiveness of age reduction in decreasing juvenile crime.

However, as the number of crimes committed by juvenile offenders continues to increase, calls for lowering the age threshold are growing louder. In a nationwide survey of 1,002 adults conducted by Gallup Korea in March, 81% of respondents said they supported lowering the age.

The government's decision to conditionally lower the age threshold, despite the Social Dialogue Council's recommendation to maintain the status quo, is interpreted as a response to growing public sentiment in favor of tougher penalties.

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