If Child Support Is Not Paid, Driver's License Revoked... Will It Pass the National Assembly This Time?

Women and Family Committee Approves Child Support Amendment
If Unpaid Without Just Cause,
Non-Custodial Parent's License May Be Revoked or Suspended

Judiciary Committee and Plenary Session Schedules Not Finalized
Final Legislation Uncertain Within 20th National Assembly

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] A law to revoke the driver's licenses of 'non-custodial parents' who fail to pay child support without justifiable reasons is on the verge of passing the National Assembly. The 'Partial Amendment to the Act on Securing and Supporting Child Support Enforcement' containing this provision has passed the Women and Family Committee's bill review subcommittee. Once it goes through the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the plenary session, this system, long advocated by women's groups, will become a reality.

According to the Women and Family Committee on the 7th, the amendment, approved by the bill subcommittee the previous day, sparked various controversies. In particular, the National Police Agency expressed dissent regarding the revocation of driver's licenses. They argued that failure to fulfill child support obligations is unrelated to road traffic safety risks and that it excessively infringes on fundamental rights such as freedom of residence and movement.

However, the passage of the bill subcommittee was significantly influenced by the ruling in a public trial where the operator of the 'Bad Fathers' website, which discloses the identities of parents who do not pay child support, was acquitted of defamation charges. There is a growing recognition that failure to pay child support is not merely a private matter but a serious issue threatening children's fundamental rights and right to happiness. Kang Min-seo, head of the Child Support Resolution Group, said, "There are non-custodial parents who neglect their own children while spending money on entertainment and vehicle maintenance," adding, "The announcement of the bill will provoke non-custodial parents as it causes inconvenience in their daily lives."

The amendment, however, exempts those who rely on driving for their livelihood. If a non-custodial parent fulfills all child support obligations, the suspension of their driver's license will also be lifted. Additionally, to enhance the effectiveness of detention orders against non-custodial parents, a bill mandating compulsory dispatch of judicial police officers has also passed. Detention is a sanction that allows confinement at a designated place for up to 30 days. However, there are concerns about its effectiveness since enforcement becomes difficult if the subject absconds during the detention period. In the future, when a detention order is issued against a non-custodial parent who fails to pay child support, the Child Support Enforcement Agency will form an on-site support team with judicial police officers to enable earlier enforcement. Nevertheless, with the 20th National Assembly set to expire on the 29th and ongoing conflicts over the 'National Constitutional Amendment Initiative,' the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and plenary session schedules have not been finalized, leaving the final enactment uncertain.