[The Typing Baker] South Korea in 2024 Through the Lens of Crime

Recently, violent crimes have become unusually frequent. Even between July and August of last year, there were several crimes that shook the nation. First, in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Chosun indiscriminately wielded a weapon. Shortly after, in Seohyeon Station, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province, Choi Won-jong drove a car onto the sidewalk and then carried out a stabbing rampage targeting random people inside a department store. Additionally, in the ecological park hiking trail located in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Choi Yoon-jong committed murder by assaulting and strangling a woman teacher in her 30s who was on her way to work, with the intent to sexually assault her. That’s not all. On online communities, several people posted murder threats, declaring their intention to commit crimes against random individuals. Violent crime has become a kind of social trend.

In the book Crime Society written by lawyer Jeong Jae-min, all social phenomena related to crime are addressed. Lawyer Jeong refers to crime as "the story of our society." Although crimes occur between individuals, he explains that the state intervenes to resolve issues related to the lives of crime victims and the problem of justice. The issue of justice is connected to punishment. However, public opinion in Korea is largely dissatisfied with sentencing. There are criticisms that judges do not impose appropriate punishments on criminals. Regarding this, lawyer Jeong emphasizes that the trial system was originally designed to protect the defendant. Prosecutors must prove the crime beyond any doubt. Furthermore, there is also the problem that the statutory penalties themselves are low. Even individual judges should deliver consistent rulings. Improving the guidelines, such as by raising statutory penalties, is pointed out as a way to enhance the system.

The book also examines the fundamental causes of crime. Lawyer Jeong points to "the economy" as the social environment that causes crime. In Somalia, piracy is said to be the most popular occupation. People in Somalia, experiencing political and economic instability in an anarchic state, have no way to earn money other than hijacking foreign ships and demanding ransom. Behind the economic environment, various complex problems are intertwined. The book cites "caregiver murder" as an example. The reason for caregiver murder is economic hardship. However, behind that lie issues such as aging population, youth unemployment, and the privatization of care.

Many people argue that strong punishment is necessary to suppress crime. A recent debate sweeping Korean society is the reinstatement of the death penalty. Although Korea still has the death penalty, no executions have been carried out since 1997. Lawyer Jeong supports the implementation of the death penalty. He interprets that the death penalty has some effect in deterring crime. Considering the possibility of being sentenced to death, planned crimes are expected to decrease, if not impulsive crimes. There is also a belief that executions will not be carried out recklessly. Opponents of the death penalty mention the People's Revolutionary Party case, where the death sentence was carried out just 20 hours after sentencing, but this is pointed out as an issue of the structure of state power such as dictatorship, not a problem inherent to the death penalty itself.

Above all, why should we closely examine crime? Lawyer Jeong says it is "to live as if we are truly living." He does not provide a definitive answer to what it means to live as if living. However, he explains that it is when you comfortably talk with someone, laugh with your family at home, or leave some writing behind. The more we fear crime and keep it hidden, the more moments when we fail to live as if living will approach. If you are curious about how crime and our society are connected, this book is recommended.

Crime Society | Written by Jeong Jae-min | Changbi | 300 pages | 18,000 KRW