The Korea Herald

지나쌤

Addresses of child sex offenders to be revealed

By Korea Herald

Published : May 28, 2013 - 20:18

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The full addresses of those convicted of sex offenses against children or teenagers will be revealed for stronger punishment and prevention of crime, the government said Tuesday.

The government agreed during the Cabinet meeting presided by President Park Geun-hye on a bill to revise the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse to disclose not only the areas in which the convicted felons live but also the street names and building numbers.

The disclosed information will also include the type and occurrence of the crime in the past, as well as whether the person is wearing an electronic ankle bracelet, and if so, for how long.

The revision also states that businesses that attract adolescent customers such as game arcades will have restrictions in hiring convicted sex criminals.

The measures came as Park urged stronger punishment and stricter control of child sex offenses as part of her pledge to eradicate four social evils including sex crimes.

Meanwhile, stronger reprimands will be slapped on public servants who commit sexual harassment or assault, the Ministry of Security and Public Administration said Tuesday.

The measure follows the latest commotion created by the alleged sexual assault by dismissed presidential spokesman Yoon Chang-jung during Park’s visit to the U.S. earlier this month.

The Ministry said it plans to elevate the maximum disciplinary action to expulsion if the public servant committed the crime, regardless of one’s degree of violation or intent.

Until now, only premeditated or serious offenses were subject to expulsion as long as the victim was not underage.

According to the ministry’s status report submitted to the National Assembly last year, 62 percent of public servants who committed sex crimes received light reprimands such as a wage cut.

Between 2007 and 2011, 80 public servants were found to have been involved in prostitution, while 42 committed sexual assault and 26 sexual harassment.

By Lee Joo-hee (jhl@heraldcorp.com)