Ministry of Justice Sets Next Year’s Budget at 5.4056 Trillion Won... National Compensation Fund Increased 5.8 Times

National Compensation Fund Raised from 144.8 Billion Won to 840 Billion Won
An Additional 17.1 Billion Won Allocated to Alleviate Overcrowding in Correctional Facilities

The Ministry of Justice has set the total expenditures for the 2027 budget and fund management plan at 5.4056 trillion won, a 14.9% increase from this year's 4.7046 trillion won.

Ministry of Justice Building [Provided by Ministry of Justice. Resale and DB use prohibited]

On September 4, the Ministry of Justice released its 2027 budget bill and fund operation plan reflecting these details. By account, the general account increased by 15.2% from 4.5235 trillion won to 5.2131 trillion won. The Correctional Work Special Account rose by 5.5% from 78.4 billion won to 82.7 billion won. The Crime Victim Protection Fund increased by 6.9% from 102.7 billion won to 109.8 billion won, respectively.

The item with the largest increase is the national compensation fund. It grew by approximately 695.2 billion won, from 144.8 billion won this year to approximately 840 billion won next year—a 5.8-fold jump. According to the Ministry of Justice, this is to swiftly fulfill state responsibility for major historical and human rights violation cases and protect the victims’ rights.

In the correctional sector, an additional 17.1 billion won has been allocated to alleviate overcrowding and construct new correctional workshops. Of this, 12.9 billion won is newly allocated for improving the environment of unused detention blocks. The budget for constructing new prison workshops to increase the execution rate of confinement sentences has been expanded from 3.1 billion won to 6.6 billion won. Additionally, 700 million won has been newly reflected for feasibility reviews and research services for private investment in correctional facilities.

For measures targeting juvenile offenders, the allocation increased by 29.7 billion won. Of this, approximately 26 billion won is newly set aside for establishing and operating juvenile protection service agency facilities and educational programs. The budget for improving the educational environment at juvenile detention centers and strengthening mental health management increased from 1.2 billion won to 4.8 billion won.

An additional 12.9 billion won was allocated to introduce an AI-based guard system for proactive accident prevention at correctional facilities and to strengthen the monitoring of those under probation. Newly, 10.8 billion won has been earmarked for building AI-powered video detection systems and biometric radar. The budget for expanding 1:1 electronic monitoring and enhanced field supervision increased from 7.6 billion won to 9.7 billion won. The budget for establishing drug-only correctional facilities grew from 500 million won to 1.2 billion won, and the allocation for both regular and random testing of drug offenders increased from 200 million won to 500 million won.

The budget for supporting crime victims increased by 5 billion won. Compensation for crime victims was raised from 11.6 billion won to 14 billion won, while the budget for dedicated state-appointed victim attorneys increased from 5.6 billion won to 6.7 billion won. The budget to expand weekend and nighttime counseling at Smile Center, a psychological care agency, nationwide increased from 11.4 billion won to 12 billion won. Temporary safety shelter funding grew from 900 million won to 1.2 billion won. Relocation expenses to prevent further damages from retaliatory crimes and other risks have been increased from 200 million won to 250 million won.

The budget for free legal assistance for financially vulnerable individuals seeking personal rehabilitation, bankruptcy, or discharge increased from 7.6 billion won to 9.8 billion won. Additionally, 1.9 billion won was newly set aside for publicity to promote support programs for at-risk debtors. For accessibility support in the bar exam for disabled candidates, 65 million won was allocated for the production of audio files of previous exams, deploying braille staff, and purchasing braille printers.

In the field of immigration and entry/exit, 14.4 billion won was newly allocated to establish an intelligence-based public service platform utilizing AI. The budget to expand supply of education programs for the Social Integration Program for immigrants increased from 13.6 billion won to 16.8 billion won. Operation of one central seasonal worker institution was allocated 1.5 billion won, and 300 million won was committed to expanding onboard immigration inspections of cruise tourists. Establishing an AI-based international legal risk analysis program and increasing personnel for responding to international investment disputes was newly allocated 330 million won.

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