Healing over punishment

Professional gamer Lee Sang-hyeok, known as "Faker," was appointed ambassador for the Korean National Police Agency's campaign to eradicate youth cyber gambling in July. [Korean National Police Agency]
Professional gamer Lee Sang-hyeok, known as "Faker," was appointed ambassador for the Korean National Police Agency's campaign to eradicate youth cyber gambling in July. [Korean National Police Agency]

Police are launching a self-reporting period targeting addiction-related offenses — including cyber gambling and drug use — that are spreading among young people.

The Korean National Police Agency said Monday it will accept self-reports of youth addiction-related crimes from Nov. 16 through Dec. 15. Minors under 19 who have engaged in cyber gambling or drug use, or their guardians, can file a report through the 117 School Violence Reporting Center.

Once a report is received, school-assigned police officers will handle cyber gambling cases while frontline investigators take charge of drug-related ones. Specialist counselors in gambling and drug addiction will conduct consultations and assessments with the youth involved, and those who need further care will be referred to dedicated addiction treatment institutions for follow-up support.

When determining how to handle self-reporting youth, police said they will weigh not only the severity of the offense but also the individual's attitude of remorse and progress in treatment. Cases will go before a rehabilitation review committee that includes outside experts, with the aim of granting the most lenient disposition possible.

According to the Korean National Police Agency, youth drug crimes are spreading in the guise of "diet pills" or "focus-enhancing supplements." Police said their approach prioritizes treatment, with a policy of seeking leniency in minor cases.

Earlier, police ran a self-reporting period for youth cyber gambling from May 18 through Aug. 31, receiving a total of 1,777 reports and connecting those involved with treatment programs.

Kim Jong-cheol, acting commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, said the most important aspect of the self-reporting system is "detecting at an early stage young people at risk of addiction to gambling or drugs, treating them, and breaking the cycle." Kim added that police would "work to help youth grow into healthy members of society through this self-reporting period for addiction-related crimes."


arin@heraldcorp.com