## South Korean Prison Overcrowding and Parole Expansion: Summary of Key Facts * **The average occupancy rate of correctional facilities in South Korea is 125.8%, which is very high, indicating a serious overcrowding problem.** The National Human Rights Commission has consistently recommended alleviating overcrowding. * **Overcrowding does not directly influence the issuance of arrest warrants or sentencing decisions.** Legal experts believe that the overcrowded situation is difficult to consider as a factor in detention standards or sentencing. * **However, expanding parole is an official government policy aimed at solving the problem of overcrowding in correctional facilities.** The Ministry of Justice plans to ease parole criteria for inmates with low recidivism risk and increase the average annual number of parolees by 30%. **Conclusion:** Overcrowding in correctional facilities is a serious issue, and parole expansion is being proposed as one solution. However, it is necessary to consider whether parole expansion can completely solve the overcrowding problem and the potential social controversy that may arise during the process.
