Tougher punishment needed for sex crimes
Controversy is flaring over Digital Prison, a website disclosing the personal identities of alleged sex offenders. A recent apparent suicide of a university student whose identity was revealed on the website triggered concern over the legitimacy of such a name and shame system.
Critics say the "vigilantism'' can result in victimizing people through false accusations. In fact, the student had been claiming his innocence since he was named on the website for allegedly placing a female student's photo on pornographic images. Police began investigating the site after he filed a complaint, but had difficulties because the server was based overseas.
The operator launched the website in July allegedly out of frustration over the judiciary system's dealing leniently with heinous sex crimes. The site came under criticism in August when it falsely accused a man of a rape committed in 2004 in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province. Although the site deleted the post with an apology, the man was subjected to hateful comments and threats online.
The site posted the identities of Son Jong-woo, the notorious operator of the child porn site Welcome to Video along with three judges who rejected a U.S. request for his extradition. The website emerged amid criticism that the nation's courts have been too lenient on sex crimes. But it is improper for the private site to reveal the identities without any concrete evidence of the alleged crimes.
The Digital Prison can produce innocent victims as it can accuse people based on false information. Similar sites can sprout up and be maliciously used. Under any circumstances, private reprimands should not be permitted. The punishment of criminals should be carried out by law enforcement and the judiciary. The police should carry out a thorough investigation into the operators active overseas. And the relevant authorities should take steps to revise laws to punish sex offenders more harshly.
Controversy is flaring over Digital Prison, a website disclosing the personal identities of alleged sex offenders. A recent apparent suicide of a university student whose identity was revealed on the website triggered concern over the legitimacy of such a name and shame system.
Critics say the "vigilantism'' can result in victimizing people through false accusations. In fact, the student had been claiming his innocence since he was named on the website for allegedly placing a female student's photo on pornographic images. Police began investigating the site after he filed a complaint, but had difficulties because the server was based overseas.
The operator launched the website in July allegedly out of frustration over the judiciary system's dealing leniently with heinous sex crimes. The site came under criticism in August when it falsely accused a man of a rape committed in 2004 in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province. Although the site deleted the post with an apology, the man was subjected to hateful comments and threats online.
The site posted the identities of Son Jong-woo, the notorious operator of the child porn site Welcome to Video along with three judges who rejected a U.S. request for his extradition. The website emerged amid criticism that the nation's courts have been too lenient on sex crimes. But it is improper for the private site to reveal the identities without any concrete evidence of the alleged crimes.
The Digital Prison can produce innocent victims as it can accuse people based on false information. Similar sites can sprout up and be maliciously used. Under any circumstances, private reprimands should not be permitted. The punishment of criminals should be carried out by law enforcement and the judiciary. The police should carry out a thorough investigation into the operators active overseas. And the relevant authorities should take steps to revise laws to punish sex offenders more harshly.
![[INTERVIEW] With '30 Days,' Kang Ha-neul finds new level of comfort in acting](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/83a5770de8d8420da3634fb8b78266c1.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] ONEUS returns as 'mermaid prince'](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/8cc3b8d992cd4b8bb43395b014670ca2.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
