Majority of S. Koreans polled to support execution of death penalty

By Lim Chang-won Posted : November 6, 2017, 10:38 Updated : November 6, 2017, 10:38

A file picture shows a Catholic priest supporting the abolishment of executions in South Korea. [Yonhap News Photo]


Despite a steady campaign by rights groups to abolish capital punishment, a majority of South Koreans supported executions as a legal penalty, reflecting widespread concerns about a sharp increase in violent crimes, according to a survey.

A survey of 511 adults, conducted by pollster Realmeter, showed 52.8 percent supported execution of a death penalty while 9.6 percent called for the abolishment of capital punishment. Some 33 percent wanted a moratorium on executions that was enacted by ex-president Kim Dae-jung in February 1998.

Capital punishment is a legal penalty in South Korea with its criminal code regulating executions as a form of punishment for crimes including rebellion, conspiracy with foreign countries, and homicide.

Since the last execution took place in December 1997, capital punishment has been a controversial issue in South Korea. In a 2009 survey, seven of ten people said South Korea should maintain a death penalty. The Constitutional Court upheld capital punishment in 2010, but a public perception has since changed thanks by a campaign by human rights groups.

On February 19, 2016, the Supreme Court upheld a death sentence for a 24-year-old army sergeant, identified by his surname Lim, who killed five fellow soldiers in a shooting rampage at his camp near the border with North Korea in 2014. He became the 61st person on death row in South Korea


 
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