Government Proposes Life Sentences Without Parole and Safety Patrols

The South Korean government is moving forward with plans to implement life sentences without parole for heinous criminals. Additionally, it aims to establish 'safety patrols' to monitor areas around the residences of crime victims and is considering measures to separate domestic violence offenders from their homes.

On October 23, Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Yoo-jung announced in a written briefing that these departmental responses were reported during a meeting chaired by President Lee Jae-myung on the 'Ultra-Safe Society' initiative. The meeting was held under the vision and strategy of the 'Everyone's Safety 365 Project.'

The Ministry of Justice reported that it will actively pursue the introduction of life sentences without parole to protect the rights of victims and their families through permanent isolation of heinous offenders.

It also plans to amend laws to mandate the prohibition of carrying weapons for those sentenced to electronic monitoring for murder and robbery, along with strengthening surprise inspections.

Jo Won-cheol, head of the Legislation Office, expressed support for life sentences without parole as an effective alternative to the death penalty. President Lee inquired whether this measure would require amendments to the criminal code and listened to departmental opinions.

The National Police Agency announced a shift in its approach to victim support, focusing on managing and preventing offenders. It plans to establish a large-scale 'safety patrol' to monitor areas around crime victims' residences and expand support for female small business owners and single women by providing discounts on CCTV and emergency bells.

In cases of domestic violence, the government is considering the operation of 'offender isolation facilities' to prioritize separating the offender from the residence instead of having the victim leave.

President Lee emphasized that the establishment of safety patrols is related to job creation and requested discussions with the policy office regarding the selection criteria, duties, and scale.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family reported plans to quickly implement a 'Review System for Fatal Cases of Intimate Partner Violence' to analyze cases and derive measures to prevent recurrence, along with building relevant statistics.

President Lee reiterated the seriousness of relationship crimes and urged the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to devise effective measures. He also instructed that the details and operational status of the crime victim compensation system be reported separately.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced plans to strengthen emergency response systems for individuals with mental illnesses who pose risks to themselves or others by introducing a 'Public Transport Team' composed of police, firefighters, and mental health professionals. It also plans to establish a National Suicide Response Office and enhance the functions of mental health welfare centers to focus on case management.

President Lee mentioned the need to strengthen support for mental health treatment costs. The Ministry of Education stated it would identify and support students facing emotional and behavioral crises and enhance education on building positive relationships.

President Lee urged that the prepared measures be implemented diligently while considering more efficient solutions in the field. The government plans to prioritize tasks closely related to public safety that can be immediately pursued regardless of legal and budgetary constraints, aiming for completion by the end of the year, according to Chief Secretary Kang.