Controversy Over "Slap-on-the-Wrist" Punishments for Public Threats Involving Bomb Attacks

Public Anxiety and Administrative Resources Wasted...
Effectiveness of the Law in Question
Park Kyuntaek: "APEC Summit... A Matter of National Security"

Kyun-Taek Park, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

As a series of public threats, including bomb threats targeting unspecified large groups, have continued, criticism has emerged that the newly established public threat offense, introduced in March, results only in "slap-on-the-wrist" punishments.

On October 12, Kyun-Taek Park, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Gwangsan-gap, Gwangju, analyzed audit data submitted by the Ministry of Justice. The analysis revealed that, over the six months since March, only 2 out of 59 cases (3.3%) submitted to prosecutors resulted in detention.

With copycat threats at department stores, concert venues, and elementary schools surging nationwide-wasting administrative resources and heightening public anxiety-the National Assembly introduced a new criminal code provision: those who threaten unspecified large groups face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won. However, there has been growing criticism that the intent of the law is being undermined, as in cases where a defendant who made a homemade bomb with butane gas to threaten citizens was sentenced to a mere 6 million won fine.

Park stated, "Lenient punishments for bomb threats that endanger people's lives and safety cannot prevent public anxiety," and emphasized, "As public threats are spreading as a social issue and false threats disguised as copycat crimes or pranks are repeatedly occurring, the courts must distinguish between impulsive acts and genuine social threats, and set higher sentencing standards."

Park further warned, "With about a month left before the APEC summit, public threats involving bombs and similar methods should be treated not as simple crimes, but as matters of national security." He added, "If bomb threats occur during large-scale international events, it could not only disrupt the proceedings but also severely damage the country's image."