death penalty news July 18, 2004
SOUTH KOREA: South Korea may abolish death penalty South Korea's ruling Uri Party was seeking Saturday to submit a bill to the National Assembly next month to abolish the death penalty. The legislation, which is currently being prepared by Rep. Yoo In-tae, will introduce life sentences without commutation to replace capital punishment, the Korea Times reported. Some party members oppose the abolition of the death penalty because it will result in punishing those on death row in the same way as lifers though the two should be treated differently, a secretary to Yoo said. However, life imprisonment without commutation will stifle arguments like this presented by proponents of the death penalty. The current rules for life imprisonment allow a prisoner to receive parole or a reduced sentence for certain reasons after he or she serves 10 years. In the new legislation, Yoo will insert so-called absolute life sentences to replace the death penalty. With the 152-member liberal party currently controlling a majority in the 299-seat National Assembly, the bill will likely be passed in the next irregular session, slated for Aug. 15. (source: Big News Network.com)
