SEOUL, The Supreme Court’s recommended sentences for overseas technology leak, drug and stalking offenders will be increased in the second half of the year, as its sentencing committee said Tuesday it has finalized new sentencing guidelines for those crimes.

The top court’s Sentencing Commission said the new sentencing guidelines, which are centered on raising the maximum prison term recommended for those convicted of leaking state-designated key technologies overseas to 18 years, were finalized in a meeting Monday and are set to take effect July 1.

The commission also asked that thefts of general industrial technologies be punished more severely than before, saying the new guidelines reflect the national consensus for tougher punishment for technology infringement crimes.

Recommended sentences for drug crimes will also be raised. In particular, a maximum sentence of life imprisonment is recommended for drug crimes targeting minors and for the manufacturing and distribution of large amounts of illegal dru
gs, the commission said.

Sentences for those convicted of simple possession or use of marijuana, which is regarded as a gateway to drug addiction, will also get tougher than before.

The commission said it has also established new sentencing guidelines for stalking crimes, under which a maximum prison term of five years is recommended for stalkers carrying a weapon. Ordinary stalking offenders will face a prison term of up to three years, it added.

Source: Yonhap News Agency