Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Lawmaker, police move to toughen anti-stalking statutes
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By Jung Min-ho
A lawmaker and police are pushing for a major overhaul of Korea’s stalking laws following a spate of deadly stalking cases in recent weeks and mounting public concern over inadequate protections for victims.
The National Police Agency said Friday it is collaborating with the office of Rep. Lee In-seon of the main opposition People Power Party to draft an amendment bill that will classify repeated stalking as a form of retaliatory crime to penalize offenders more severely.
Under the proposal, offenders could face a minimum sentence of one year in prison if they continue stalking even after victims file a complaint with police. Currently, the vast majority of people indicted on stalking charges receive a fine or a suspended prison sentence, as the maximum sentence for the offense under the current law is three years in prison or a fine up to 30 million won ($22,000).
The lawmaker and police are also seeking to redefine the meaning of stalking.
The current anti-stalking law, enacted in 2021, defines stalking as a “repeated or continuing” act, which leaves room for legal interpretation as to what meets the conditions.
The draft amendment would clarify the concept by adding a provision stating that, “if a stalking act is repeated within six months, even after the victim has clearly expressed their refusal, the act will be regarded as continuous.”
On Tuesday in Daejeon, a woman in her 30s was stabbed to death by her former boyfriend. The killing came just one day after another woman in her 20s was seriously injured by a stalker in Ulsan. On July 26, a woman in her 50s was also fatally stabbed at her workplace in Uijeongbu by a stalker.
At a meeting with his secretaries on Thursday, President Lee Jae Myung called for measures to curb stalking crimes, saying people should not be victimized by what can be predicted and prevented.