NCJ Number
140332
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1992) Pages: 301-316
Date Published
1992
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The rapid pace of modernization and urbanization in the Republic of Korea over the past 50 years has resulted in major conflicts between traditional cultural values and new values imported from industrialized western nations; as a result, the rate of juvenile delinquency has increased dramatically.
Abstract
As defined by the Korean Juvenile Act, juvenile delinquents are those adolescents between the ages of 12 and 20 who have either broken the law or committed status offenses including running away from home, habitually disobeying the just supervision of their guardians, or associating with criminal or immoral persons. While the ratio of juvenile offenders to the total criminal population has fallen recently, the number of juvenile offenders has risen steadily. Korean juvenile delinquents are typically 18 to 19 years old, unemployed or schoolboys, and first offenders with little potential to continue a criminal career. While the average age of delinquents is falling, the recidivism rate is rising. Assault and larceny are the two most common types of juvenile crimes. The authors recommend that future research be directed toward specific and recurrent behaviors within the realm of juvenile delinquency including violent property crimes, sexual offenses, and drug-related crimes. 6 tables and 1 note