South Korea weighs lowering criminal responsibility age for juveniles

South Korea is considering an initiative to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 14 to 13 years old. Local media report that the move is being discussed amid concerns over a rise in juvenile crime in the country.

According to media reports, the number of arrests among children aged 10 to 13 nearly doubled in 2025 compared with 2020.

Currently, the maximum sentence for defendants aged 14 to 19 is 15 years in prison, while those under the age of 14 can be placed in juvenile correctional facilities for up to two years.

According to South Korean opinion polls, a majority of citizens support the initiative, but there is still no broad social consensus on the issue.