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In 2023, there were fewer en banc decisions compared to 2022. While there were 7 en banc decisions related to criminal law in 2022, with 6 focusing on criminal law issues, the number decreased to 3 in 2023. However, the significance of this change should not be underestimated. Among these cases, a notable en banc decision redefined the meaning of assault and intimidation in the context of forcible molestation, representing an effort to align the legal decisions with contemporary societal trends. Additionally, there was a noticeable increase in en banc decisions related to stalking crimes and special criminal laws, shedding light on issues and challenges prevalent in these areas beyond basic criminal law. In the context of criminal law, there were numerous significant rulings pertaining to the co-perpetrators of negligent crimes and infringements on self-defense, specifically addressing the contemporaneity of self-defense (meaning not determined solely based on the formal completion of the criminal act but extending until the situation of harm to one's own or others' legal interests has ceased). In 2023, in terms of the legitimate exercise of the state's right to punish, there were many efforts to modify en banc decisions that extended beyond the literal interpretation of the law or to provide clarification on the meaning of legal provisions. While the ideal resolution for legal shortcomings would be through legislative measures, the impracticality of enacting legislation to address every situation necessitates the application of the law through judges' reasonable interpretation. Therefore, the positive aspect lies in not rendering outcome-oriented judgments based on the principle of proportionality. However, it is necessary to consider criticism that calls for clearer and more comprehensible improvements to the Supreme Court's en banc decisions, which currently restrict legal principles through their power of authoritative interpretation. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that many elements, which are not explicitly stipulated in the basic criminal law but are present in various special criminal laws, can be evaluated as serious crimes. To enhance the effectiveness of crime regulation and the general preventive impact, systematic legislative adjustments within the criminal law framework for these crime elements are essential.
Ahn Kyongok (Sat,) studied this question.