[Iclickart]
Sex offenders using hidden cameras will not be subject to forced chemical castration used for convicted rapists under a revised law passed by South Korea's parliament as legislators attached weight to basic human rights.
The cabinet has proposed a revised bill to expand the use of hormone treatment to offenders accused of taking furtive pictures with secret cameras.
The new law would allow chemical castration for attempted burglar rape and sex crimes targeting child and teenagers. Through committee deliberations, however, legislators dropped a clause legalizing hormone treatment for those using secret cameras habitually to take candid shots of women.
State prosecutors think libido-suppressing hormone medication is an effective tool to reduce sex crimes, while rights activists oppose it as inhumane treatment.
President Moon Jae-in has called for "special" measures to curb sex crimes taking furtive pictures with secret or hidden cameras targeting young women at company bathrooms, public restrooms and other private places. Although violators can be sentenced to or a maximum jail term of five years, numerous cases have been reported.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
