Gender minister urges scrapping non-punishment clause for domestic violence

Gender Equality Minister Won Min-kyong has called for the repeal of a legal provision that prevents punishment for domestic violence offenders when victims decline to pursue punishment. According to the current law, authorities cannot penalize domestic violence perpetrators if victims refuse to agree to punishment. Critics argue that this clause enables offenders to coerce victims into settling cases.

Won made her stance clear in a YouTube interview, stating that she has consistently advocated for the removal of the clause since a policy briefing in December of the previous year. She emphasized that President Lee Jae Myung shares her perspective on this matter. Previously, stalking crimes were not punishable against the victim's will, but a legal amendment abolished this provision in June 2023.