SOUTH KOREA
Korean Public Servants convicted of sex offences against minors will automatically lose their jobs and be permanently barred from public office, legislators have decided.
Under the revised rules governing state officials, those preparing for Public Service examinations will also be barred from appointment for three years if their conviction involves a fine of KRW1 million (A$1,240) or more for a sex offence.
Those who receive jail terms or compulsory medical treatment and custody for sex crimes against minors will be permanently forbidden from becoming PS employees.
Those who receive suspended jail terms for a sex offence will also be disqualified.
The National Assembly passed the revised Bill, which will take effect on 17 April next year and will not apply to people on trial for crimes committed before that date.
Under the current State Public Officials Act, persons sentenced to a fine of at least KRW3 million (A$3,700) for a sex offence are disqualified as PS staff.
The range of offences considered has also been expanded.
Currently only convictions for someone abusing their position to have sexual intercourse with someone under their guidance or supervision, or committing an indecent act on such persons, were subject to the ban.
This has been changed to convictions of “any type of sex offence”.
Minister of Personnel Management, Kim Pan-suk (pictured) said the latest revisions of the Act sent a strong message that the Government would not tolerate sex offences.
“We expect zero tolerance on sex crimes across the Korean society as personnel management standards for Civil Servants are often applied in the private sector as well,” Mr Kim said.
Seoul, 10 October 2018
