In March 2020, eight middle school students at the time robbed a rental car in Seoul and drove to Daejeon, after hitting a motorcycle.
A college freshman who was working part-time at the time was killed in this accident.
None of the middle school students who caused the accident were punished because they were under the age of 14 and they were juveniles under law.
Some, including Lee, who caused the accident at the time, have been committing crimes again without reflection since they came out of the juvenile detention center last year.
They grabbed local middle school students, cut their hair, and supported their wrists with a cigarette, and continued sadistic violence.
It was also revealed that Lee was subjected to probation by the Ministry of Justice, and assaulted him in front of his house saying that he had to answer the probation officer's phone call.
Reference article
▶ [Exclusive] 'Rental car death' Boys under the law, brutally assaulted middle school students
▶ [Exclusive] Assaulted as soon as the probation officer hung up...
Police action is useless
'Rental car death' minors, what kind of punishment will be given this time
The Yangcheon Police Station in Seoul has booked and investigated five teenagers, including Lee, on charges of joint assault.
Of these, three were arrested last night, and the other two are under investigation without detention.
A police official said, "We are aware that there are more victims in this regard," and that they are expanding the investigation.
The situation in which the police investigation is in full swing.
What kind of punishment will be given to those who are now 16 years old and become 'criminal boys' rather than expedited boys?
Those between the ages of 10 and 14 are classified as juveniles by law, and those between the ages of 14 and under 19 are classified as criminal juveniles.
Probational juveniles are not subject to criminal punishment as criminal minors, but criminal juveniles may be subject to criminal punishment.
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The perpetrators who caused a fatal accident two years ago did not receive a criminal trial.
At that time, the most severe punishment for them was 'delivery to a juvenile prison for two years' through a juvenile trial.
But now, according to the judgment of the judiciary, it is possible to receive a criminal trial and receive a prison sentence.
However, prosecutors may still have a juvenile trial depending on the severity of the crime.
If this happens, sending him to a juvenile detention center for another two years is the maximum disposition.
In a word, this time it is subject to criminal punishment, but depending on the judgment of the judiciary, it may be subjected to a juvenile trial again.
What if I commit a crime while on probation? "The maximum punishment for sending to a juvenile detention center"
It is also known that the military and others are subject to probation.
They committed the crime while on probation, but they couldn't stop it.
In response, the Ministry of Justice told SBS reporters, "I feel a heavy responsibility for the recidivism case of probation juveniles."
If you commit a crime while on probation, it is itself a violation of the rules.
However, even if you do not comply with the items of probation, such as a stay-at-home order at night, re-entering the juvenile detention center is the most severe measure, so it is inevitably less compulsory.
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The purpose of probation is to manage juvenile offenders in the community and prevent other victims, but it is questionable whether it is being operated properly.
Expert opinions on the management of juvenile offenders were divided into two.
Attorney Ji-sang Yoon (former Juvenile Division judge) pointed out that “even if probation is violated in the end, the most severe punishment is sending to a juvenile detention center.”
He further explained, "Now, two years is the maximum period for sending to a juvenile detention center, but it could be a way to hold it longer through law amendments, etc."
Another view emphasizes the responsibility of the state.
Attorney Lee Hyun-gon (former Juvenile Judge) said, “Decisive action does not reduce juvenile crime. happens,” he said.
As the Ministry of Justice has recently been discussing lowering the legal age for juveniles, it seems that social discussions on the management of juvenile offenders should be expanded.