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<H1 class=gl_headline><A href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43870883/"><FONT color=#ff0000>S. Korea enacts 'chemical castration' law for pedophiles</FONT></A></H1>
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<DIV class=dateline>Seeded on Sun Jul 24, 2011 5:45 AM EDT (msnbc.com)</DIV></DIV>
<P class=i1 sizset="0" sizcache="2"><SPAN class=dateline sizset="0" sizcache="2"><A href="http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&where1=SEOUL&sty=h&form=msdate" target=_blank><U><FONT color=#0000ff>SEOUL</FONT></U></A> — </SPAN>South Korea has enacted a law allowing the use of 'chemical castration' on convicted pedophiles, the Justice Ministry said on Sunday, becoming the first Asian country to permit the punishment. </P>
<P>The law gives judges the power to order sex offenders who have attacked children under the age of 16 to undergo a medical procedure, widely known as chemical castration, which can last for up to 15 years. </P>
<P>"The law takes effect as of today," a ministry official said on condition of anonymity, adding that dozens of criminals be sentenced to the punishment this year. </P>
<P>The legislation has generated strong protests from human rights bodies. </P><SPAN class=copyright sizset="1" sizcache="2" rel="item-license license" property="dc:rights">
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