The death penalty is provided for in the Penal Code...

The death penalty is provided for in the Penal Code (1953) for political and ordinary crimes. Both the majority and opposition, and public opinion favor the death penalty. The latter is generally opposed to capital punishment for political offenses. Between 1948 and 1998, an average of 19 prisoners were executed a year in Korea, making a total of 902. Until 1987, when the nation's democratization started to get on track, almost half the executed were political prisoners charged with rebellion or violating the National Security Law. In addition, the Constitutional Court ruled 7-2 in 1996 that the death penalty was constitutional. In explanation of their decision, the Court said that the right to live cannot remain permanently valid and can be restricted to safeguard innocent citizens. The Court also acknowledged the efficacy of the death penalty as a crime-deterring factor.