The government will consider applying chemical castration to a larger number of sex offenders.

At a ministerial meeting presided over by Prime Minister Kim Hwang-shik on Monday, officials agreed to consider plans to widen the application of the method. 

The attending ministers, however, are reported to have reached the decision that having all sex offenders treated with chemicals, as suggested by the ruling Saenuri Party, was excessive and potentially violated human rights.

On Sunday, the Saenuri Party’s anti-sex-crime taskforce said that it would push for chemical castration of all sex offenders.

Chemical castration refers to the process of using chemicals to reduce sexual urges.

Aside from reviewing chemical castration-related issues, the government drew up plans for tightening control over sex offenders required to wear electronic tags.

As part of the plans, probation officers will be issued smartphones and other mobile devices to track the whereabouts of sex offenders, and high-risk electronic tag wearers will be required to meet officials four to five times a month.

In addition, the government plans to revise related laws to enable public notification of information regarding electronic tag wearers, and secure the manpower required for responding immediately to warning signals from electronic tags.

The police will increase patrols in high-risk areas and step up measures against explicit materials online, while the government plans to establish a database and provide special training to police officers against crimes of indiscriminate violence.

By Choi He-suk  (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)