Calculators & Self-ChecksProsecution Request Estimator
Obscene acts using communication media: statutory penalty and likely requested sentence
The statutory penalty for Obscene acts using communication media and the likely handling of the case depending on your circumstances. The results are for reference only.
- Statutory penalty
- Up to 2 years in prison or a fine of up to KRW 20 million
- Legal basis
- Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, Article 13
- Category
- Sex crimes · Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes
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
- 8 months to 1 year 8 months in prison
If the offense is serious in light of repetition, the degree of obscenity, the victim's age, etc., detention is considered.
Formal trial (prison sentence requested)
- Likely requested sentence
- 8 months or more in prison
Formal trial (fine requested)
- Likely fine
- KRW 3 million or more
Formal trial (fine requested)
- Likely fine
- KRW 2 million or more
Suspension of indictment possible
With no record, a single message or photo of low obscenity, or a minor case with a settlement, a suspension of indictment is possible, usually on conditions such as an education program.
Notes
- After a 2020 amendment, the statutory penalty rose sharply, so the actual handling may be heavier than this estimate.
- Even with a fine, a conviction may lead to registration of personal information.
Frequently asked questions
- Obscene acts using communication media: what is the statutory penalty?
- Legal basis: Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, Article 13. Statutory penalty: Up to 2 years in prison or a fine of up to KRW 20 million.
- Obscene acts using communication media: how is the case usually handled?
- Depending on the circumstances, it may be handled as follows: Detention considered, Formal trial (prison sentence requested), Formal trial (fine requested), Suspension of indictment possible. 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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