Bill introduced to amend child and youth sexual protection law

Amusement parks, water parks among facilities targeted by employment ban

Local governments required to conduct checks at least once a year

Lawmaker says no blind spots should remain at facilities used by children

People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jong-wook [Lee Jong-wook's office]
People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jong-wook [Lee Jong-wook's office]

People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jong-wook said Friday he had introduced a bill to bar convicted sex offenders from working at theme parks, filing the amendment to the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth Against Sex Offenses.

The core of the amendment, according to Lee, is adding theme parks under the Tourism Promotion Act to the list of institutions where people with sex crime convictions are barred from working. The bill would also restrict employment of sex offenders at facilities heavily used by children and teenagers — including amusement parks, water parks and indoor play centers — and require local governments to verify compliance at least once a year.

Under current law, people sentenced to prison or treatment and custody for sex crimes against children, youth or adults may be barred for a set period from operating or working at institutions serving children and youth. However, theme parks — where children and teenagers are frequent visitors and staff have direct contact with guests — have not been included in that list, leaving what critics have called a regulatory blind spot.

The bill also establishes a legal basis for provincial governors and city, county and district mayors to inspect whether any restricted individuals are employed at such facilities at least once a year.

"Theme parks are a defining space where children and families go to relax and have fun," Lee said. "We cannot leave in place a systemic gap that allows convicted sex offenders to work at facilities heavily used by children and gain easy access to them."

He added that the amendment would strengthen the employment ban and inspection framework for theme parks and ensure the state provides tighter protection in spaces where children spend their time.


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