Promoting the Restoration of Korean Youth Offenders: a Comprehensive Understanding and Application of Restorative Justice

This article explores how theologically grounded restorative justice can support the restoration of Korean youth offenders within a system shaped by retributive logic. It examines structural and relational contributors to youth crime – such as educational meritocracy, family instability, peer dynamics, and stigmatizing school and legal practices – showing that many adolescents occupy a victim–offender position marked by prior wounds that current protective measures fail to address. Drawing on the biblical vision of shalom, the article presents a theological framework in which justice centers on healing persons and relationships rather than punishment alone. Engaging critiques and defenses of retributive justice, it proposes a complementary approach that deepens accountability while attending to trauma and social repair. Practical applications for Korean juvenile justice, including offender testimony, restorative circles, and victim–offender dialogue, highlight how restorative practices, when ethically implemented, can promote meaningful reintegration and a more holistic vision of justice for all parties involved.