Over 9 kidnap attempts happen each week in South Korea, with just 1 out of 4 being unsuccessful
In the first eight months of 2023, a total of 319 cases of kidnapping, abductions, and attempted kidnaps have been reported, according to the National Police Agency. This concerning trend has prompted calls for stricter patrols and increased vigilance, particularly given the majority of victims are children and teenagers.
The data for 2023 does not specify the total number of attempted kidnappings, but it does reveal that nearly half (49.5%) of the confirmed cases took place on the street. The report by Rep. Wi Seong-gon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea indicates 237 cases of kidnapping, abduction, and human trafficking occurred during this period, along with 82 cases of attempted kidnapping.
Most of these cases are reportedly carried out by strangers, with 62.3% of kidnappings of children under 13 falling into this category. The annual total was 324 in 2021, 374 in 2022, and 469 in 2023, as per the data. However, the latest data does not indicate any increase or decrease in the annual total of kidnapping cases compared to previous years.
Last year's data shows that 43% of the victims were aged between 7 and 12, with another 21.8% of the victims being aged 6 or under, while 12.9% were between ages 13 and 15. Kidnapping and abduction are often used interchangeably, but under the South Korean Criminal Act, kidnapping refers to taking the victim via force, while abduction refers to taking the victim via fraudulent means.
The SPO data for 2023 suggests that 65.2% of the child kidnappings occurred between noon and 6 p.m. Authorities are urging parents to be especially vigilant during these hours. It is also worth noting that 27.3% of child kidnappings in 2023 were committed by family members.
Cases of kidnapping, abduction, and human trafficking have been increasing year over year, according to previous data. However, there are no search results or credible information available indicating which region in South Korea has had the highest number of child and youth abductions and kidnappings in recent years.
The authorities are reminding the public that both kidnapping and abduction are subject to the same level of punishment according to the South Korean Criminal Act. They urge anyone with information about these crimes to come forward and report it to the authorities.
