Top Stories 26/09/17 Korean Catholic Church seeks abolition of death penalty

[성기화 요셉]

The nation’s long moratorium on executions shows society can maintain order without resorting to state killing

An appeal to end the death penalty in South Korea was made during an annual seminar organized by the Subcommittee on the Abolition of the Death Penalty under the Justice and Peace Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea and Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Hak-young, on Sept. 17 at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building in Seoul. (Illustrative Photo: rvasia.org)

By UCA News reporter

Published: September 21, 2026 12:23 PM GMT

Updated: September 21, 2026 12:32 PM GMT

The Catholic leaders in South Korea have renewed their call for the abolition of the death penalty and urged lawmakers to build a penal system that protects human dignity, public safety, and the possibility of rehabilitation.

The call was made during an annual seminar on abolishing the death penalty, held on Sept. 17 at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building in Seoul.

The event was organized by the Subcommittee on the Abolition of the Death Penalty under the Justice and Peace Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea and Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Hak-young.

Church leaders and abolition campaigners said South Korea’s long moratorium on executions shows that society can maintain order without resorting to state killing.

They argued that the next step should be to remove capital punishment from the statute books and develop sentences that protect society while respecting life.

Former Mongolian president Tsakhia Elbegdorj, now a member of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty, told participants that Mongolia’s experience showed that abolition did not lead to a surge in crime.

“Although the death penalty was abolished in Mongolia, contrary to the concerns of many, the incidence of crime has actually decreased,” Elbegdorj said.

He added that governments should respond to public fear with evidence, dialogue and justice reforms rather than executions.

Elbegdorj said countries debating abolition often struggle when serious crimes dominate public attention.

However, he said political leaders must help citizens understand that justice systems can punish grave crimes without adopting irreversible measures.

Kim Dae-geun, a researcher at the Korean Institute of Criminology and Justice, warned that replacing executions with life imprisonment without parole could raise constitutional concerns because it would permanently deny prisoners any possibility of review, rehabilitation or reintegration.

He proposed retaining life imprisonment under existing law or introducing life imprisonment with a minimum period before parole review.

Kim said a minimum term of 25 years would be appropriate for South Korea, warning that an excessively long term would make parole unrealistic and undermine correctional principles.

His remarks highlighted a key question in the debate: whether the state can punish serious crimes and protect citizens while still recognizing the possibility of change in offenders.

Abolitionists say justice based solely on retribution risks weakening respect for life.

Choi Sae-yan, a lawyer with Lawyers for a Democratic Society, said voluntary legislation by the National Assembly appeared unlikely under current conditions, making a Constitutional Court ruling a more realistic path.

She said international cases showed that pressure from civil society could help change the political climate.

Choi suggested a step-by-step approach if immediate introduction of parole-eligible life imprisonment proves politically difficult.

Bishop Simon Kim Joo-young, who chairs the bishops’ Justice and Peace Committee, said the campaign against capital punishment should be rooted in respect for human rights beyond religious boundaries.

“I hope we become a society that respects human rights regardless of religion. If many people share the same will, the day of the abolition of the death penalty will be brought forward,” he said.