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President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a Cabinet meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae on July 14. / Photo courtesy of Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung remarked on July 14 regarding a proposal to lower the age of criminal liability for juvenile offenders by just one year and solely for violent crimes, "I feel that this is too weak," and ordered additional public opinion to be gathered.

President Lee made the remarks during the 30th Cabinet meeting he presided over at Cheong Wa Dae in the morning, after receiving a report on the results of public deliberations regarding the age reduction of juvenile offenders.

During the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Gender Equality and Family Won Min-kyung reported, "The most dominant opinion was to lower the age of criminal liability only for violent, grave, and repeat offenses." Regarding the scope of the age reduction, she also delivered the deliberation results showing that the majority favored lowering the age by one year, from under 14 to under 13.

In response, President Lee pointed out, "I feel that is too weak. Aren't there quite a few cases around the world where the age is set to under 12?"

President Lee also noted a gap between public perception of the juvenile offender system and its actual implementation.

Regarding the current system, President Lee pointed out, "Even under the current law, juvenile offenders can be sent to a juvenile reformatory for up to two years, but many citizens believe that punishment is completely impossible."

"Do not make a final decision today," he ordered. "Based on today's discussion, gather more feedback from the field and collect further opinions from our citizens."

President Lee also added, "Let's debate again whether to lower the age partially or fully, and whether to lower it by one year or two years, and then gather public opinion."

Juvenile offenders refer to minors aged 10 to under 14 who commit acts violating criminal laws. While they are subject to protective custody instead of criminal punishment, measures such as being sent to a juvenile reformatory are possible depending on the gravity of the case.

Meanwhile, whether to maintain records of juvenile reformatory placement was also discussed at the meeting. During this process, President Lee remarked, "So that is why the rumors about 'Lee Jae-myung being sent to a juvenile reformatory' came out."

                                                                                                        Park Young-hoon