112 Prank Callers Face Hefty Fine
Prank callers to the 112 hotline face a fine of up to W5 million to deter people from wasting the time of the emergency services (US$1=W1,320).Some 4,000 false and prank calls are made to emergency services every year.The new law was passed by the National Assembly on Wednesday and takes effect next June, according to the National Police Agency.There has been no legislative framework for the hotline since it was set up in 1957, and prank calls could only be punished under laws on obstructing official duties by up to five years imprisonment or a fine of up to W10 million or false reports with a fine of up to W600,000, but courts have been accused of being excessively lenient.For example, one woman who was convicted in September of making over 18,000 prank calls to 112 over 11 months was only fined W200,000.The new law also allows police officers who have received a 112 report and deem the situation urgent to enter private property, and trying to block them now carries a fine. Until now, there have been almost no legal grounds to enter private property.
Questions:1. What penalty awaits the 112 prank callers?2. How rampant have those calls become recently?3. How lenient was the old penalty system?4. With the placement of the new law, what additional power is given to the police officers?5. Do you find the revision of the law necessary? Why or why not?
