26년째 중단된 사형 집행, 재개하면 벌어질 일은 / 연합뉴스 (Yonhapnews)

Summary

This transcript explores the complex issue of capital punishment in South Korea and Japan, highlighting historical contexts, legal challenges, and international influences. It discusses the continued public support for the death penalty, despite its suspension in South Korea since 1998. The debate is framed around the deterrent effect, human rights concerns, and the financial burden of maintaining death row inmates. With growing international pressure, the constitutional review of capital punishment in South Korea and global trends toward abolition suggest an evolving stance on this controversial issue.

Takeaways

• 😀 A 39-year-old man, Tomoiro Gato, was executed in Japan on July 26th, 2023, for his role in the infamous Akihabara murders of 2008.
• 😀 In South Korea, 900 people have been executed since the establishment of the government, with the last execution carried out on December 30, 1997.
• 😀 The number of death row inmates in South Korea currently stands at 59, including serial killers like Yoo Young-chul and Kang Ho-sun, who have been awaiting execution for many years.
• 😀 The last death sentence execution in South Korea was in 1997, and executions have been on hold since then.
• 😀 Public opinion in South Korea consistently supports the death penalty, with more than half of the population favoring its continuation, according to Gallup surveys from 1994 to 2023.
• 😀 Former President Kim Dae-jung, who was sentenced to death in 1980 under the military regime, halted executions after taking office in 1998, leading to South Korea's de facto moratorium on the death penalty.
• 😀 In 2007, Amnesty International classified South Korea as a de facto abolitionist country due to the suspension of executions.
• 😀 International relations have also played a role in South Korea's stance on the death penalty, with countries like the European Union and others opposing execution-practicing nations and limiting diplomatic agreements with them.
• 😀 Supporters of the death penalty argue that it serves as a deterrent for crime and that the cost of maintaining death row inmates is a financial burden on the state.
• 😀 Experts largely disagree on the effectiveness of the death penalty in preventing crime, with many suggesting that the root causes of crime are psychological issues like anger or paranoia, not the fear of execution.
• 😀 The South Korean government is considering alternative measures such as abolishing parole for life-sentenced inmates to address the issue of repeat offenders, though this comes with concerns about human rights and the financial implications of long-term incarceration.

Q & A

What was the event that shocked Japan in 2008 mentioned in the script?

The 2008 Akihabara massacre, where a man named Tomohiro Kato killed seven people and injured ten others in the Akihabara district of Tokyo.

How many people were executed by hanging in South Korea after its government was established?

Over 900 people were executed by hanging in South Korea after the establishment of the government.

When was the last time a death sentence was carried out in South Korea?

The last execution in South Korea took place on December 30, 1997, involving 23 people, including Kim Yong-jae, involved in the Yeouido Plaza car chase incident.

How many death row inmates remain in South Korea today, as of the script's publication?

There are currently 59 death row inmates in South Korea, including notorious serial killers like Yoo Young-chul and Kang Ho-sun.

What significant trend has occurred regarding death sentences in South Korea since 2016?

Since 2016, there has been a significant decline in the number of death sentences, with most cases being converted to life sentences in higher courts.

What role does public opinion play in South Korea’s death penalty debate?

Public opinion generally favors the retention of the death penalty, with more than half of respondents in surveys conducted by Korea Gallup between 1994 and 2023 supporting it.

What international factor influenced South Korea to halt executions?

International pressure, particularly from human rights organizations like Amnesty International, played a significant role in South Korea halting executions. Additionally, the government faced diplomatic challenges, as countries opposed to the death penalty were unwilling to engage in agreements with countries that still practice it.

Which countries have fully abolished the death penalty, according to the script?

Over 112 countries have fully abolished the death penalty, with a growing number following the trend due to enhanced human rights awareness.

What are some of the main arguments for and against the death penalty in the script?

Supporters of the death penalty argue it is necessary for justice and serves as a deterrent against crime, while opponents argue it violates the right to life, risks wrongful execution, and has little proven impact on reducing crime.

What is South Korea’s position regarding the death penalty in relation to international agreements?

South Korea's position has become more complicated due to international agreements, such as the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which restricts cooperation with countries that practice the death penalty.