Calculators & Self-ChecksProsecution Request Estimator
Buying sex from a child or juvenile: statutory penalty and likely requested sentence
The statutory penalty for Buying sex from a child or juvenile and the likely handling of the case depending on your circumstances. The results are for reference only.
- Statutory penalty
- 1 to 10 years in prison or a fine of KRW 20 million to 50 million (increased by up to 1/2 if the victim is under 16)
- Legal basis
- Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sex Offenses, Article 13(1)
- Category
- Sex crimes · Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sex Offenses
Calculate with your own circumstances
What the handling steps mean
- Detention considered · Detention (구속): being held in custody during the investigation and trial under a court warrant when there is a risk of fleeing or destroying evidence
- Formal trial · Formal trial (구공판): the prosecutor asks the court for a trial, and you stand before a judge in a courtroom
- Summary fine · Summary indictment (약식기소): a procedure in which a fine is set on the documents, without a trial in a courtroom
- Suspension of indictment possible · Suspension of indictment (기소유예): the wrongdoing is recognized, but the prosecutor takes various circumstances into account and closes the case without sending it to trial
- Referral to the Family Court possible · Domestic or juvenile protection case: instead of criminal punishment, the Family Court imposes protective dispositions such as counseling, a no-contact order or community service
Handling standards at a glance
Listed from heaviest to lightest. The actual decision depends on the results of the investigation and your circumstances.
Detention considered
- Likely requested sentence
- 1 year to 2 years 6 months in prison
If the other person was under 16, it is a repeat offense, or the offense is especially bad, detention is considered.
Formal trial (prison sentence requested)
- Likely requested sentence
- 1 year to 2 years 6 months in prison
How it happened, how many times and the other person's age are considered, but as a rule the case goes to a formal trial.
Notes
- To prevent repeat offending, an order to attend lectures or a sexual violence treatment program is requested together with the sentence.
- A person is a child or juvenile until January 1 of the year in which they turn 19.
- Detention requires a legal ground such as a risk of fleeing or destroying evidence, so many cases proceed without detention even when they meet this standard.
Frequently asked questions
- Buying sex from a child or juvenile: what is the statutory penalty?
- Legal basis: Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sex Offenses, Article 13(1). Statutory penalty: 1 to 10 years in prison or a fine of KRW 20 million to 50 million (increased by up to 1/2 if the victim is under 16).
- Buying sex from a child or juvenile: how is the case usually handled?
- Depending on the circumstances, it may be handled as follows: Detention considered, Formal trial (prison sentence requested). Enter your circumstances in the calculator above to see which one applies.
Other crimes in the same category
This is only an estimate based on how investigative agencies usually handle cases. The actual decision and request depend on the facts of the case, such as a settlement, prior convictions and how the crime happened, and on the judgment of the prosecutor in charge; the final sentence is decided by the court. If you are about to be questioned, do not rely on this result alone and talk to a lawyer first.
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