More stalking suspects prosecuted since legal changes in wake of Sindang Station murder

More stalking suspects have been prosecuted following the amendment of the relevant law, prompted by the Sindang Station murder of 2022.

A woman writes a letter of condolence to a subway worker outside a public restroom at Sindang Station in Jung District, central Seoul, on Sep. 16, 2022, two days after the worker was stabbed to death by Jeon Joo-hwan, her former colleague. [YONHAP]

More stalking suspects have been prosecuted following the amendment of the relevant law, prompted by the Sindang Station murder of 2022.

According to the Justice Ministry on Sunday, the number of individuals indicted for stalking crimes rose by 37 percent from last July through March, increasing from 3,090 to 4,299 compared to the same period in the previous year.

The amendment of Korea’s stalking law now punishes online stalking, penalizes offenders even when the victim does not seek punishment and implements measures for the protection and support of victims, including support by public defenders and the use of electronic tracking devices.

Posting personal information and sharing the location of an individual online can also be considered stalking following the law's amendment.

Restraining orders can be imposed on suspects during trials and investigations for up to nine months, up from the previous six months.

The government began supporting stalking victims with public defenders in January. A total of 468 stalking cases have been handled by public defenders through March, with the figure continually rising every month.

Individuals accused of stalking crimes — under trial and investigation — can now be required to wear electronic tracking devices, a change from the previous policy where only those with finalized sentences, on parole and suspended sentences, were asked to do so.

The suspects' locations will be tracked daily, and text messages will immediately be sent to victims and the police if the offender approaches a victim.

According to the Justice Ministry, the law amendment was gradually implemented last July following the Sindang Station murder.

Jeon Joo-hwan, 33, who stalked and murdered his former colleague in September 2022, had his life imprisonment finalized last October.

"The government will exert every effort in operating and maintaining the [legal] system to ensure that stalking does not lead to serious crimes and that victims can quickly overcome their suffering and return to a safe daily life," said Justice Minister Park Sung-jae.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]