A public petition to raise the age of punishment for engaging in sexual relations with minors has passed the threshold for submission to the National Assembly.
According to the National Assembly on the 7th, the petition entitled "A petition regarding the so-called ○○○ prevention law to raise the age of statutory rape of minors and strengthen penalties" has garnered over 50,000 signatures. The petition meets the requirements for approval, so it is expected to be referred to the relevant committee in the National Assembly.
The petitioner, individual A, posted an article titled "A petition regarding the so-called ○○○ prevention law to raise the age of statutory rape of minors and strengthen penalties" on the National Assembly's electronic petition homepage on the 31st of last month.
Individual A noted, "Unfortunately, the law on statutory rape of minors only protects children between the ages of 13 and under 16, making it impossible to legally punish Kim Soo-hyun. The laws of the Republic of Korea clearly define minors as individuals under the age of 18, yet due to the age restrictions of the statutory rape law that only protects minors between the ages of 13 and under 16, pedophiles can evade the legal system."
He continued, "To prevent this from happening again in the future, I petition for an amendment to the statutory rape law of minors under the name 'Kim Soo-hyun prevention law.'"
This petition appears to have been submitted in relation to the allegations surrounding the relationship between actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron.
Previously, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, denied allegations of dating a minor on the 14th of last month. Gold Medalist stated, "Kim Soo-hyun dated Kim Sae-ron from the summer of 2019, after she turned 18, until the fall of 2020."
Kim Soo-hyun also stated at a press conference on the 31st of last month, "I did not date the deceased when they were a minor," adding, "There is no fact of dating a minor or forcing someone with money." He further remarked, "I cannot accept threats from the bereaved family, the pressure to admit false facts, or being labeled 'a murderer.'"
A handwritten letter from Kim Sae-ron to Kim Soo-hyun, released by her bereaved family, includes content such as "The period we met lasted about 5 to 6 years," and "It was my first love and my last love." This letter was made public along with photos and videos of the two by a YouTuber.
Kim Soo-hyun is preparing a lawsuit worth 12 billion won against the bereaved family, a friend referred to as an aunt, and a YouTuber.