Abduction and Luring Crimes Against Minors Rise 1.5 Times in 5 Years... 1,352 Cases Nationwide

Abduction and Luring Crimes Targeting Lower Elementary School Children Account for 42% of All Cases
Strengthening the Entire Child Safety Net: From Harsher Punishments to Prevention, Recidivism Prevention, and Education

Over the past five years, a total of 1,352 cases of abduction and enticement crimes targeting minors have been reported, marking a 1.5-fold increase compared to 2020.

According to data submitted by the National Police Agency to Assemblyman Jin Jongoh of the People Power Party on September 19, the number of abduction and enticement crimes against minors over the past five years has steadily risen: 208 cases in 2020, 239 in 2021, 274 in 2022, 329 in 2023, and 302 in 2024.

Of these, excluding attempted cases, the actual number of incidents was 142 in 2020, 154 in 2021, 174 in 2022, 189 in 2023, and 190 in 2024, totaling 849 actual abduction and enticement cases over the past five years.

By age group, there were 267 cases (20%) involving children aged 6 or younger, 563 cases (42%) involving those older than 6 but younger than 12, 182 cases (13%) involving those aged 12 to 15, 152 cases (11%) involving those aged 15 to 20, and 188 cases (14%) where the age was unknown. Notably, crimes targeting children between the ages of 6 and 12, who are typically in lower elementary school grades, accounted for the highest proportion at 42% of the total.

This data was compiled based on the number of crimes under Article 287 (Abduction and Enticement of Minors), Article 288 (Abduction and Enticement for Indecent Purposes, etc.), Article 289 (Human Trafficking), Article 290 (Infliction of Injury or Bodily Harm), Article 291 (Murder or Manslaughter), and Article 5-2 of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Abduction and Enticement, etc.) of the Criminal Act.

Assemblyman Jin Jongoh stated, "The increasing number of abduction and enticement crimes targeting minors is clear evidence that the social safety net protecting children remains fragile," adding, "Through the four newly proposed bills to prevent the abduction and kidnapping of minors, we will create a safer society where parents can raise their children with peace of mind."

Meanwhile, on September 15, Assemblyman Jin sponsored a set of bills aimed at strengthening child safety measures. The 'Four Bills to Prevent the Abduction and Kidnapping of Minors' include: raising penalties through amendments to the Criminal Act, expanding the duration and obligations of electronic monitoring under the Electronic Device Attachment Act, enabling real-time CCTV monitoring in child protection zones through amendments to the Child Welfare Act, and mandating abduction prevention and crisis response education within the regular curriculum through amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.