South Korean probation: volunteering and late onset crime control?

The use of probation in South Korea (S. Korea) is a relatively recent development and as such there is little in the way of historical background, or current developments, published in English. This article therefore provides an outline of the structure and operation of probation in S. Korea and draws comparisons and contrasts with probation both in England and Wales, and with S. Korea’s most comparable neighbour, Japan. This exploratory overview is intended primarily for English language speakers who are interested in comparative criminal justice, but know little about S. Korean criminal justice in general or about S. Korean probation in particular. The focus, where possible, is on accessible English language sources that will enable readers to follow-up and deepen their interest. However, where necessary, findings from key Korean language sources are integrated to provide a more authentic view of S. Korean probation.