Seoul to expand laws for child sex abuse

South Korea said Thursday it will expand the age range for which chemical castration will be given to those convicted of sex crimes against minors. A law on disclosing sex offenders' personal information also will be expanded, the Yonhap news agency reported. In disclosing the changes, the prime minister's office said the new measure expands from 16 to 19 the ages of the victims for which offenders can receive the hormonal treatment. Another law, passed in 2011, allows the government to release personal information of persons convicted of sex offenses against minors beginning that year. The expansion will allow the release of information about sex offenders convicted as early as 2008. The bills will be given to the National Assembly and are expected to go into effect in 2013, a spokesman for the prime minister's office said. The government will also set aside $913,000 for medical treatment of victims and for the creation of shelters in six more major cities. Only one center, in Seoul, is now in operation. The action comes in the wake of a series of violent sex crimes against women and children.