JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN KOREA (FROM UNAFEI - RESOURCE MATERIAL SERIES NO 14, 1978, SEE NCJ-51514)

• NCJ Number: 51520
• Author(s): Y K KIM
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 12 pages
• Corporate Author: United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: Japan
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE 46TH INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COURSE ON THE TREATMENT OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS AND YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS, TOKYO, APRIL 19 TO JULY 9, 1977

Annotation

LEGAL DEFINITIONS OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, CURRENT SITUATIONS OF 'CRIMINAL' AND 'MISBEHAVING' JUVENILES, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DELINQUENCY AND THE CORRUPT TENDENCY, AND COUNTERMEASURES ARE DISCUSSED FOR KOREA.

Abstract

THE KOREAN JUVENILE ACT DEFINES THREE CATEGORIES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS: (1) CRIMINAL JUVENILES, DEFINED AS THOSE NOT LESS THAN AGE 14 AND UNDER AGE 20 WHO HAVE COMMITTED CRIMINAL ACTS AND ARE CONSIDERED CRIMINALLY RESPONSIBLE; (2) A LAW VIOLATING MINOR, DEFINED AS ONE NOT LESS THAN AGE 12 AND UNDER AGE 14 WHO HAS COMMITTED CRIMINAL ACTS BUT IS NOT YET CRIMINALLY RESPONSIBLE; AND (3) A DELINQUENCY-PRONE JUVENILE, DEFINED AS ONE NOT LESS THAN AGE 12 AND UNDER AGE 20 WHO HABITUALLY DISOBEYS HIS GUARDIAN, STAYS AWAY FROM HOME UNJUSTIFIABLY, OR A ASSOCIATES WITH PERSONS OF CRIMINAL TENDENCIES. A 'CRIMINAL' JUVENILE MAY BE HANDLED EITHER AS A CRIMINAL CASE OR A PROTECTIVE CASE WITHIN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROSECUTOR. BOTH 'LAW-VIOLATING MINORS' AND 'DELINQUENCY-PRONE' JUVENILES ARE DIRECTLY REFERRED BY THE POLICE TO THE JUVENILE COURT. DISPOSITIONAL OPTIONS BY THE COURT ARE IDENTIFIED AND DISCUSSED FOR JUVENILE CATEGORIES. CURRENT STATISTICS FOR 'CRIMINAL' JUVENILES ARE CONSIDERED FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: TYPES OF CRIME; GROUP CRIME (COMPLICITY); DISTINCTION BY SEX, AGE, DEGREE OF EDUCATION, LEVEL OF LIVING STANDARD, HOME, AND OCCUPATION; DISTINCTION BY CAUSE; DISTRIBUTION BY REGION; DISTINCTION BY CRIMINAL RECORD; AND DISPOSITION OF CASES. SPECIFIC TYPES OF MISBEHAVIOR GIVEN ATTENTION BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM UNDER THE CATEGORY OF 'DELINQUENCY-PRONE' JUVENILES ARE IDENTIFIED. 'CORRUPT CONDUCT' WHICH IS MOST OFTEN MET WITH WARNING BY POLICE OR THE COURT GENERALLY INVOLVES BEHAVIOR CONSIDERED INIMICAL TO THE MAINTENANCE OF TRADITIONAL MORAL STANDARDS IN KOREAN SOCIETY. COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST JUVENILE DELINQUENCY FALL INTO THESE GENERAL AREAS: DIMINISHMENT OF POVERTY, FULL EMPLOYMENT, PURIFICATION OF HIGH CRIME RATE AREAS, EXPANSION OF FACILITIES FOR JUVENILE WELFARE, EXPANSION OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION, PREVENTION OF BROKEN HOMES, DISPERSION OF URBAN POPULATIONS, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR JUVENILES. TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED FOR THE SUBJECTS DISCUSSED. (RCB)