# South Korean death penalty debate

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-death-penalty-debate
> Updated: 2026-10-10T00:57:38.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

South Korea is facing ongoing internal debate regarding the legality and application of the death penalty. While the country has not carried out an execution since December 1997—leading Amnesty International to classify it as a ‘practically abolitionist state’—the death row population is aging, with an average age of 58.7 years.

The Constitutional Court of Korea is currently reviewing a third constitutional petition regarding the constitutionality of the death penalty, a process that has lasted eight years. Legal professionals have suggested ‘absolute life imprisonment’ as a potential alternative to capital punishment.

Adding to the pressure for reform, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) has formally called for the abolition of the death penalty. Chairperson Ahn Chang-ho urged the government and National Assembly to begin legislative discussions and recommended that South Korea join the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, citing the irreversible risk of judicial error.

## Claims

- South Korea has not executed a death sentence since December 30, 1997. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- As of late last year, 145 countries have abolished the death penalty in law or practice, with 113 countries having abolished it for all crimes. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The NHRCK recommended that South Korea join the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to abolish the death penalty. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The risk of irreversible judicial error, such as the Inhyukdang case where innocence was proven after execution, is a critical factor in the debate. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- While many countries are abolishing the death penalty, the number of confirmed executions rose by approximately 78% last year. (single source)
- Lebanon became the 114th country to fully abolish the death penalty after its parliament passed a bill in August. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-10: South Korea human rights commission urges death penalty abolition

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea has urged the government to abolish the death penalty, citing the risk of judicial error and South Korea's 30-year streak without executions.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-human-rights-commission-urges-death-penalty-abolition

### 2026-10-06: South Korea death row inmates average 58.7 years old

South Korea has 52 death row inmates with an average age of 58.7 years. The country has not executed anyone since 1997, amid ongoing legal debates regarding the death penalty's constitutionality.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-death-row-inmates-average-587-years-old

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Cite as: South Korean death penalty debate. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-death-penalty-debate