Raising the Age Threshold for Parental Leave to Support Students Balancing Education and Parenting

Raising the Age Threshold for Parental Leave to Support Students in Balancing Education and Parenting

-A total of 97 laws, including the Higher Education Act, coming into effect in April-

Starting in April, the age threshold of children for parental leave will be raised and punishment for digital sex crimes involving children and youth will be reinforced. The Ministry of Government Legislation (Minister Lee Wan-kyu) announced that a total of 97 statutes will come into effect in April. Some of the key details and enforcement dates of the forthcoming statutes are as follows.

Support for Students Balancing Education and Parenting (「HIGHER EDUCATION ACT」, April 23)

If a student wants to take leave for childcare, previously the child had to be 8 years old or younger or in the second grade or lower of elementary school, but from April 23, this will be raised to 12 years old or younger or in the sixth grade or lower of elementary school. Students will also be able to take parental leave if their child needs long-term recuperation due to a physical or mental disorder, as long as the child is 16 years old or younger or in the first grade or lower of high school. This is to help students who are also parents to look after their children. This change will also apply to those who are already on parental leave when the new law comes into force, allowing them to delay their return to university or college.

Reinforcement of the Punishment for Fake Sexual Content Involving Children and Youth (「ACT ON THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH AGAINST SEX OFFENSES」, April 17)

Starting on April 17, the punishment for intimidating children and youth with sexual exploitation materials using deep fake will be reinforced to at least three years in prison, and at least five years in prison for coercion. The current Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes stipulates a punishment of at least one year in prison for intimidating using sexual exploitation materials and at least three years in prison for coercion, but the sentences have been increased for cases involving children and youth. In addition, when an urgent undercover investigation into digital sex offenses against children and youth is required, judicial police officers can conduct it without prior approval from a higher-level police agency. Furthermore, when judicial police officers find that sexual exploitation materials of child or youth are being posted, displayed, or distributed online, they must immediately request the Korea Communications Standards Commission take such measures as deleting or blocking access.

Strengthening Support for Victims of Digital Sex Crimes, Including Illegal Videos and Photos (「SEXUAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND VICTIMS PROTECTION ACT」, April 17)

From April 17, "The Advocacy Center for Online Sexual Abuse Victims (A.C.O.S.A.V.)" will be established and operated nationwide to receive reports of illegal videos and photos and provide emergency counseling. At the same time, the responsibility for supporting the deletion of illegal videos and photos will be extended from the national government to local governments, and support for victims in their return to daily life will be specified as the responsibility of the national government and local governments. In addition, the law allows national and local governments to support the deletion of not only illegal videos and photos but also victim's identifying information to prevent the further harm caused by circulation of victim's identifying information. This information includes the victim's address, name, age, occupation, education, appearance, and other personal information and photographs that can be used to identify the victim.

Designation of Areas Restricted to Low-Emission Motor Vehicles Only (「SPECIAL ACT ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF AIR QUALITY IN AIR CONTROL ZONES」, April 23)

From April 23, provincial governors like mayors and Do governors will be able to designate areas where only low-emission vehicles can be driven. Only low-emission vehicles, such as electric vehicles, solar-powered vehicles, hydrogen electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles, or vehicles whose air pollutant emission levels meet the standards set by local government ordinances, are allowed to operate in low-emission areas. However, emergency vehicles as defined in Article 22 of the Road Traffic Act, such as fire engines and ambulances, vehicles that have been issued with a mark of cars used by persons with disabilities pursuant to Article 39 of the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, and vehicles stipulated by the Enforcement Decree of the Special Act on the Improvement of Air Quality in Air Control Zones, are permitted to operate in low-emission areas despite not being classified as low-emission vehicles. A person who violates this provision and operates a vehicle that is not supposed to be operated in low-emission areas is subject to an administrative fine of 100,000 won.

The reasons for the enactment of the new statutes, including those stated above, can be found at the Korean Law Information Center (www.law.go.kr).