Drug addicts, sexual offenders to be banned from working in social service sectors from 2025

Drug addicts and sexual offenders will be banned from working in the social service sectors from next year, the health ministry said Tuesday.Under the revised law, those who have not completed their sentences after being charged with drug addiction or sexual assault charges will be banned from providing social services from Jan. 3, 2025, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Tuesday.The bill will also enable employers to look into the criminal record of the applicants.Those subject to the ban include people under court-ordered guardianship due to physical or mental challenges, and the ban will be applied to only new hires after the revised bill comes into effect, the ministry said.A ministry official said they will limit the occupational freedom in some similar sectors, including domiciliary services, which often involve visiting the users' home, in an effort to protect the users.The revised bill includes having the license of the service provider stripped off of them in case they deli berately or by accident hurt the service recipients in the caregiving process.The revised bill is set to come into effect from Jan. 3 next year following a year of its proclamation.Source: Yonhap News Agency