South Korea holds 52 death-row inmates, most in their 50s, as execution moratorium continues
South Korea’s justice ministry reports 52 people remain on death row, with an average age of 58.7 years, four days before the World Day Against the Death Penalty.
According to the justice ministry, South Korea still has 52 individuals on death row, despite a de facto moratorium on executions that has lasted almost 30 years. These prisoners average 58.7 years of age, with 17 of them aged 60 or above, while the majority—29 inmates—are in their 50s. High-profile offenders such as serial killers Yoo Young-chul and Kang Ho-sun remain confined at the Seoul Detention Center. The last execution took place on 30 December 1997, and Amnesty International classifies the country as a de facto abolitionist state. Recent deaths among death-row inmates include Oh Jong-geun, who died at 87, and Lee Woo-chul, who succumbed to cancer, highlighting an aging prison population.
Why it matters
The aging death-row population underscores ongoing debate over South Korea’s death-penalty policy.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage centers on a poll showing public support for retaining the death penalty, while centrist coverage reports the number, age profile of death-row inmates and the long-standing execution moratorium.
LEFT
Highlights public opinion favoring retention of capital punishment
CENTER
Emphasizes the aging death-row population and the near-30-year execution moratorium
The left emphasises
- 52.9% said the death penalty should remain on the books and be applied when necessary
- 34.3% favored maintaining the law without actual executions
- 8.5% called for total abolition
- the top reason for support was the need to punish heinous crimes
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