Prison overcrowding across Korea remains unresolved, with correctional facilities operating at an average 126.4 percent of capacity in the first half of this year, the second-highest level since records began in 1991. A single correctional officer assigned to direct inmate supervision now manages more than 100 inmates in cell blocks. A steady increase in inmates requiring specialized care, including those with mental health conditions and narcotics offenders, has compounded the operational strain and pushed officers to their limit. The Ministry of Justice said Sunday the daily average inmate population at correctional institutions nationwide stood at 63,977 at the end of June, exceeding the official capacity of 50,614 by 13,363. The average occupancy rate reached 126.4 percent, already surpassing last year's average of 124.8 percent and marking the highest level since 2003, when it hit 132.9 percent. A breakdown of individual facilities reveals a starker reality. Out of 55 correctional institutions nationwide, only five operate below 100 percent capacity. More than 80 percent are overcr