South Korea approved parole for 634 prisoners below 60% of sentence
In short
South Korea approved parole for 634 prisoners who had served less than 60% of their sentences in January-August, up from 172 in all of last year, according to Justice Ministry data reported by local outlets. The reports linked the increase to prison overcrowding, with occupancy reaching 126.2% in August.
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South Korea approved parole for 634 prisoners who had served less than 60% of their sentences during January-August, according to Justice Ministry figures reported on October 18. Yonhap, Korea Economic Daily and Seoul Economic Daily said People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo (주진우), a member of the National Assembly's legislation and judiciary committee, had obtained the data from the ministry. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The eight-month total was about 3.7 times the 172 approvals recorded during all of last year. The corresponding annual counts had been 38 in 2022, 16 in 2023 and 12 in 2024. Prisoners below the 60% threshold accounted for 6.3% of all parole approvals in January-August, compared with 1.4% last year and 0.1% in 2024, the outlets reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The reports linked the increase to overcrowding. Nationwide correctional-facility occupancy reached 126.2% in August, up from 122.1% in both 2024 and 2025. The Justice Ministry is expanding parole primarily for prisoners assessed as less likely to reoffend, including ill and older inmates. Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily reported that the ministry had prepared a plan to raise this year's parole target by about 30% compared with last year. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Across all parole approvals in January-August, the figures also included 61 prisoners serving ten-year sentences and 15 serving life sentences, the outlets reported. Those totals referred to all approvals, rather than specifically to prisoners below the 60% threshold. Joo accused the government of shifting reoffending risks onto the public because of overcrowding. He called for a halt to parole for serious offenders, including prisoners serving life sentences, and measures such as electronic monitoring to prioritise public safety. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The Justice Ministry is expanding parole for prisoners it considers less likely to reoffend, including older and ill inmates, to reduce overcrowding. Opposition lawmaker Joo Jin-woo (주진우) criticised the approach and called for stronger public-safety safeguards.
Key facts
- 634 prisoners who had served less than 60% of their sentences received parole approval in January-August. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The comparable total for all of last year was 172. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- These prisoners accounted for 6.3% of parole approvals in January-August, compared with 1.4% last year. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Correctional-facility occupancy was 126.2% in August. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The reports do not establish reoffending outcomes for the newly paroled prisoners. Public-safety concerns are attributed to the lawmaker; no recidivism results are provided.