Will "Knife Fight Threat Posts" Disappear...? "Up to 7 Years Imprisonment" for Public Threats Crime Passes National Assembly

Establishment of "Public Threat Crime" in Criminal Act Amendment
Imprisonment of up to 5 years or a fine of up to 20 million won
Aggravated punishment possible for habitual offenders

A revision to the Criminal Act establishing the new offense of 'public threat crime,' which punishes murder threats directed at unspecified multiple people, passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 27th.

The Ministry of Justice explained that the purpose of the Criminal Act revision was due to the increase in crimes with abnormal motives, such as the indiscriminate stabbing incidents at Sillim Station and Seohyeon Station in 2023, and the repeated acts of public threats online, which had limitations in being addressed under the existing Criminal Act.

Ministry of Justice building. Photo by Yonhap News

Under the existing Criminal Act, there were confirmed cases where punishment was not possible due to conflicting rulings on ▲whether the act could be punished as a threat crime ▲who should be considered the victim ▲when the crime is established. Additionally, in the case of the crime of preparation or conspiracy to commit murder, there was a limitation in that it could not be applied if there were no acts such as 'purchase of tools for the crime and planning of the crime.'

Accordingly, following a recommendation from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in August 2023, the Ministry of Justice proceeded with establishing the public threat crime and the crime of carrying weapons in public places. The revision will take effect immediately from the date of promulgation.

Under the newly established public threat crime through this Criminal Act revision, anyone who publicly threatens the public with content threatening the life or body of unspecified or multiple people shall be punished by imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to 20 million won. There is also an aggravated punishment clause for habitual offenders, who may be sentenced to imprisonment for up to 7 years and 6 months or fined up to 30 million won.

A Ministry of Justice official stated, "We will continue to support related discussions so that the crime of carrying weapons in public places, currently under review by the National Assembly's Judiciary Committee, can also be established promptly."