Domestic violence in South Korea

Domestic violence in South Korea is a common problem.^[1][2][3]

Domestic violence against women in South Korea is based in its patriarchal societal and familial structures, and often fueled by heavy alcohol use.^[4][5][6]

According to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office statistics, 60% of domestic violence cases were dropped from prosecution charges in 2015, while only 15.6% went through the indictment proceedings.^[7] A total of 118,178 cases were reported but only 8762 arrests were made.

Domestic violence in South Korea is seen as a private matter and not something the law enforcement should deal with,^[1] the rate of second convictions has increased from 7.5% (2008) to 32.2% in 2012 last year. Under current laws, if the victim of violence (normally the wife) does not want indictment, the right of arraignment would be cleared.^[1] However, with new laws in force under the “Guidelines on the clearance of domestic violence and victim support,” even if the victim forfeits the right of arraignment, the convict must undergo 20 to 40 hours of counseling in the Family Violence Counseling center followed by 8 to 16 hours of education at the Probation Office. Furthermore, persons carrying lethal weapons or dangerous instruments even out of habit will be arrested on the suspicion of causing harm to their families even cases of minor violence or threats will be sent forward to the Domestic Relations Court by the police. For multiracial families, the police are planning to provide translators and lawyers to the victims through multicultural support centers.

Korea Women's Hot Line – non-profit women's rights activist group, protecting women's rights from all kinds of violence and advancing women's social position as well as establishing gender equality in the spheres of family, work, and society.

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