By Stephen Revere on September 4, 2012 | 8:09 am | 1 Comment
The Korean news is on fire today talking about how someone found guilty of sexual assault of a minor got 99 years in jail – in the US. Why?
That’s because they’re comparing it to what happens in Korea, where if you claim your drunk, you actually get a reduced sentence – like from life down to 10 years reduced sentence. Apparently 4 out of 10 sexual predators get a suspended sentence. But the even more shocking statistic is that nearly half of all sexual offenders don’t even go to jail.*
Koreans have a term for this light treatment by the justice system for sexual offenders. They call it the “솜방망이” – the padded stick.
The main reason for this issue has come to the fore is that everyone is waiting anxiously for the verdict on the recent Naju abduction and rape of an 7 year old (note: article corrected from previous posting). This is the big one that will show whether they’re dealing with this problem or not. Expect to hear an uproar from Korean citizens everywhere if the padded stick punishment gets put to use again.
*”성범죄자의 절반 가까이가 감옥에 가지 않는 것으로 조사됐습니다.” ~ KBS News
Joyce Choong, 8 months ago
I think the child victim was reported as 7 years old and not 11 years old.