S Korea's rape and sexual assault statistics
Sexual violence in South Korea is rising, with over 30,000 cases reported annually, including roughly 12,456 reported sexual assaults in 2023. Over 90% of victims are female, with 68.2% under 30, and nearly half know their perpetrator. Official statistics indicate low formal arrest rates (4-5%) and a 52.1% conviction rate for sexual assault.
Key Statistics and Trends
Case Numbers: Sexual crime reports have steadily increased, with roughly 31,000 to over 35,000 cases booked annually between 2020 and 2024.
Victim Demographics: 88.7% of survivors under 13 are female, while 91.1% of victims aged 13–20 are female.
Perpetrator Relationship: Approximately 45.6% of female victims know their perpetrator, with friends and family members being common.
Underreporting: Sexual violence is significantly underreported due to social stigma, fear of retaliation, and perceived low chances of justice.
Conviction and Arrest Rates: Only 38.7% of sexual assault cases were officially cleared by police in 2022. Formal arrest warrants for suspects are issued in only 4-5% of cases.
Types of Sexual Violence: Cases include forced indecent acts, rape, and a rise in digital sex crimes (illegal filming/distribution).
Legal and Social Context
Definition of Rape: Korean law historically required "violence or intimidation" for a conviction, which has led to calls for reform to include all non-consensual sexual acts.
Reporting Trends: The MeToo movement increased reporting, and 2023 saw a 14.2% increase in reported sexual assaults.
Victim Support: Victims often face secondary victimization during investigations, leading to low reporting rates in rural areas.
Sexual Victimization and Psychological and Behavioral Outcomes Among ...May 15, 2025 —
GENERAL INFO
In general, the worldwide prevalence rate of sexual victimization under 18 years of age ranges between 8%–31% for girls and 3%–17% for boys [1]. I...PubMed Central (PMC) (.gov)No. 024
During the six years between 2014 and 2019, the total number of crimes declined by 8.6% from 1,933,835 cases to 1,767,684 cases.
The sex-related crimes include rape, indecent assault, illicit filming using cameras, obscene acts, etc.
Feb 1, 2023 — In 2019, the Korea Women's Hotline estimated that a woman was murdered every 1.8 days. South Korea is rare in having a homicide rate equal for men and women.
— Key Takeaways
* In 2023, 17.8% of women in South Korea reported experiencing sexual harassment in the past year (Korean Women's Development Institute, KWDI)
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