Will South Korea Resume Death Penalty Executions?

Controversy surrounding the death penalty is once again heating up in South Korea. Recent discussions within the political sphere revolve around punishing heinous criminals more severely while safeguarding victims, reigniting interest and debate surrounding the death penalty. In this context, we'll examine South Korea's stance on the death penalty, the role of former President Kim Dae-jung, and the position of the Yun Seok-yeol administration.

 

In this scenario, discussions on death penalty executions in South Korea are expected to continue.

 

Lawmaker Jo Hae-jin recently posted on his Facebook page regarding "death penalty executions," revealing that Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon had transferred serial killers to a detention facility in Seoul. This post appears to reflect public reactions and expectations regarding death penalty executions, signaling that some citizens are finding solace in the face of shocking and criminal behavior.

 

Meanwhile, the death penalty system has consistently stirred controversy whenever heinous crimes occur. The Constitutional Court is currently deliberating on whether the death penalty system, as outlined in the existing laws, violates the constitution, and a conclusion on this matter has not yet been reached.

 

However, despite these discussions, South Korea is already internationally assessed as a "de facto abolitionist country" for the death penalty. The last death penalty execution in South Korea occurred on December 30, 1997, and there hasn't been a single confirmed death penalty sentence since 2016.

 

A significant figure in South Korea's path toward being a "de facto abolitionist country" is former President Kim Dae-jung. During his tenure, there were no executions, as he publicly promised not to carry out any death penalty executions during his presidency.

 

Kim Dae-jung supported the abolition of the death penalty in South Korea until the country could declare itself "de facto abolitionist." He emphasized in a 2006 Amnesty International article, "I earnestly hope that South Korea and the entire world will move toward eliminating the death penalty, as it is a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of human rights to take a life in the name of the law." Moreover, during the 2007 declaration ceremony of death penalty abolitionist countries, he delivered a keynote speech stating, "Because the dignity of life is an inalienable human right, no one can arbitrarily take it away."

 

However, recent public opinion appears to lean more towards maintaining the death penalty. According to a survey by Gallup Korea, 69% of respondents favored retaining the death penalty, while only 23% supported its abolition.

 

Since the Yun Seok-yeol administration took office, the Ministry of Justice has been inspecting the facilities for death penalty executions and reinitiating discussions on the topic. Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon decided to transfer serial killers to a detention facility in Seoul, raising both public expectations and concerns regarding death penalty executions.

 

Nevertheless, the issue of death penalty executions in South Korea remains contentious. The current Justice Minister, Han, continues to provide responses favoring the side in support of death penalty executions, emphasizing aspects of retribution alongside rehabilitation and redemption in the purpose of punishment, with a primary focus on the rights of victims.

 

Han stated, "As long as we maintain the death penalty as a punishment, it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice to manage and maintain the execution facilities appropriately," advocating for the retention of the death penalty as a form of punishment.

 

On the other hand, there are political figures supporting death penalty executions. Mayor Hong Joon-pyo of Daegu urged Minister Han to carry out death penalty executions, stating, "70% of the population supports the execution of heinous criminals, and ongoing imitative criminals are exacerbating societal unrest. Are we ignoring the right to life of countless innocent citizens?"

 

In this scenario, discussions on death penalty executions in South Korea are expected to continue. The stance of the Yun Seok-yeol administration and future policy decisions will be closely watched. Most importantly, discussions on the death penalty involve serious debates and considerations from various angles, including crime punishment, victim protection, and human rights, necessitating the search for effective solutions.