Kidnapping attempts on the rise in South Korea with over nine every week, shows police data
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SEOUL – A total of 319 cases of kidnapping, abductions and attempted kidnappings were reported from January to August, South Korea’s National Police Agency data showed on Sept 18.
According to the report compiled by Representative Wi Seong-gon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, 237 cases of kidnapping, abduction and human trafficking took place in the first eight months of 2025, along with 82 cases of attempted kidnapping.
Previous years’ data show cases are on the increase, with most carried out by strangers.
The annual total was 324 in 2021, 374 in 2022, 469 in 2023 and 414 in 2024.
Kidnapping and abduction are often used interchangeably, but Article 287 of the South Korean Criminal Act distinguishes the former as taking the victim via force and the latter as taking the victim by fraudulent means.
Both are subject to the same level of punishment.
The latest data did not specify the victims’ ages, but the 2024 data shows that 43 per cent of the victims were aged between seven and 12.
Another 21.8 per cent were aged six or under, while 12.9 per cent were between the ages of 13 and 15.
Mr Wi said: “Since most of the (kidnap and abduction) victims are children and teenagers, (the authorities) must conduct strict patrols to prevent crimes.”
The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office’s data for 2023 showed 62.3 per cent of kidnappings of children under 13 were carried out by strangers, with 27.3 per cent by family members.
Nearly half, or 49.5 per cent, of the child kidnappings take place on the streets, according to the data. It showed that 65.2 per cent of the crimes occurred between noon and 6pm. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
