The Ministry of Justice in South Korea has announced plans to establish punishments for online murder threats and the possession of weapons in public. The move comes in response to recent incidents of stabbings and threats of similar crimes being posted online, leading to heightened public anxiety.
The ministry intends to revise existing laws related to acts of public intimidation, specifically targeting murder threats posted on internet forums and social media platforms. It also aims to enable measures that will penalize the possession of weapons in public areas, including public transportation and crowded places, without a justifiable reason. This initiative seeks to address concerns regarding the lack of regulations to directly punish such acts.
Recent incidents at Sillim Station in Seoul and Seohyeon Station in Bundang, Gyeonggi, have underscored the need for action. On July 21, a 33-year-old individual went on a stabbing spree near Sillim Station, killing one person and injuring three others. On August 3, a 22-year-old driver ran his car onto a sidewalk near Seohyeon Station, killing one woman and injuring 13 people before engaging in further stabbings inside a shopping mall.
While investigating the latter case, the police have dismissed the possibility of it being a copycat crime and instead attributed the assailant’s actions to his persecutory delusions. Nevertheless, the individual had searched for keywords related to the Sillim Station murder on his mobile phone. Currently, law enforcement agencies are cracking down on numerous murder threats posted online, applying charges such as intimidation, obstruction of justice, and premeditating murder. However, criticism has arisen regarding the application of existing legal provisions, which often depend on identifying the victim and whether the planned crime is executed.
To address these challenges, the Ministry of Justice has accepted a proposal from the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office to establish new criminal punishment provisions, taking cues from legislation in the United States and Germany that penalize acts of intimidation against the public. The ministry aims to make the act of publicly posting threatening words and phrases itself a punishable offense.
In recent weeks, numerous online posts have threatened similar stabbings in crowded areas, including subway stations. As a result, the police have apprehended 67 individuals for posting online murder threats. Additionally, celebrities and political figures, such as Winter from the girl group aespa and Democratic Party Chairman Lee Jae-myung, have been targeted. The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office confirmed the arrest of six individuals, including two teenagers, for making murder threats online.
Prosecutors emphasize that posting such threats is not a mere prank, but a crime that escalates public anxiety and disrupts public order. The proposed measures aim to address these concerns and provide a legal framework to appropriately punish individuals engaged in these acts.
In conclusion, the South Korean Ministry of Justice is taking decisive action to establish punishments for online murder threats and the possession of weapons in public. The ministry’s plans include revising existing laws, enabling measures for punishment, and responding to public concerns regarding the lack of regulations. This initiative follows recent incidents of stabbings and online threats, prompting a crackdown on similar offenses and arrests of individuals involved. With an aim to enhance public safety and restore peace of mind, these measures will help address the escalating concerns within society.
