ID :
31131
Wed, 11/19/2008 - 18:45
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/31131
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Child support to be taken directly out of bank accounts
SEOUL, Nov. 19 (Yonhap) -- Child support payments will be taken directly out of the bank accounts of divorced parents responsible for paying them, the Justice Ministry said Wednesday, stressing that any tricks to hide money will be strictly punished.
The ministry plans to revise the Code of Household Affairs Procedure, which needs
parliament approval to take effect, removing loopholes in the child support
enforcement system for divorced couples and strengthening punishment for
violators, officials said.
"So far, for mothers and fathers alike, those responsible for covering
child-rearing costs have often failed to pay them despite a court order. The
rules were not effective," a ministry official who helped draw up the revision
said, asking he not be named.
Under the current law, any parent who has custody of a child must file for legal
action with a family court when child support payments are not made by the former
spouse. The court then seizes the spouse's property until the overdue amount is
cleared.
When the new system takes effect, child support expenses will be withdrawn
directly from the bank account in which salaries of the paying parent are
deposited. Those who are self-employed or don't have a regular income will have
to put up real estate or other assets as collateral for child support.
Those who fail to pay will also face stricter punishment. The penalty, currently
set at 1 million won, is set to increase to 10 million won. Those who defy an
order to clear arreages can be detained in prison for up to 30 days.
The new law also toughens up on the common practice of hiding assets during a
divorce. Divorcing couples' assets will be scrutinized by the court so that each
party's properties are made open and legally distributed. Those who refuse to
submit their asset lists or falsify them will be fined.
The number of divorces in Korea continued to drop in 2007, mainly due to fewer
people getting married and relative economic stability following the 1997-98
financial crisis, according to government data.
The Korea National Statistical Office says the crude divorce rate, or the number
of divorces per 1,000 people including unwed couples, fell to 2.5 from the
previous year's 2.6, the report showed. The divorce rate per 1,000 married
couples was also down to 5.2 percent from the previous year's 5.3 percent.
Personality differences and economic problems remained the major reasons cited
for ending marriages.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
The ministry plans to revise the Code of Household Affairs Procedure, which needs
parliament approval to take effect, removing loopholes in the child support
enforcement system for divorced couples and strengthening punishment for
violators, officials said.
"So far, for mothers and fathers alike, those responsible for covering
child-rearing costs have often failed to pay them despite a court order. The
rules were not effective," a ministry official who helped draw up the revision
said, asking he not be named.
Under the current law, any parent who has custody of a child must file for legal
action with a family court when child support payments are not made by the former
spouse. The court then seizes the spouse's property until the overdue amount is
cleared.
When the new system takes effect, child support expenses will be withdrawn
directly from the bank account in which salaries of the paying parent are
deposited. Those who are self-employed or don't have a regular income will have
to put up real estate or other assets as collateral for child support.
Those who fail to pay will also face stricter punishment. The penalty, currently
set at 1 million won, is set to increase to 10 million won. Those who defy an
order to clear arreages can be detained in prison for up to 30 days.
The new law also toughens up on the common practice of hiding assets during a
divorce. Divorcing couples' assets will be scrutinized by the court so that each
party's properties are made open and legally distributed. Those who refuse to
submit their asset lists or falsify them will be fined.
The number of divorces in Korea continued to drop in 2007, mainly due to fewer
people getting married and relative economic stability following the 1997-98
financial crisis, according to government data.
The Korea National Statistical Office says the crude divorce rate, or the number
of divorces per 1,000 people including unwed couples, fell to 2.5 from the
previous year's 2.6, the report showed. The divorce rate per 1,000 married
couples was also down to 5.2 percent from the previous year's 5.3 percent.
Personality differences and economic problems remained the major reasons cited
for ending marriages.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
