Husband Reported for Violating Restraining Order... Police Left Without Protecting Victim

Seoul Gangseo Police Station "Strengthening Recurrence Prevention Education, Reviewing Disciplinary Action for Involved Employee"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A domestic violence victim reported her husband for violating a restraining order, but the police who responded refused to enforce the court's victim protection order.

According to the Gangseo Police Station in Seoul, Ms. A, who had suffered domestic violence from her husband and filed for a victim protection order with the court, visited her home on the 6th of last month after hearing that a "restraining order prohibiting approach within 100 meters of the residence" had been issued against the perpetrator.

However, despite the court's order, the husband was still residing in the house, and Ms. A sought help from the police.

In this situation, Officer B of the local police substation under the jurisdiction of Gangseo Police Station, who responded to the report, said, "This is not a matter where the police can exercise coercive power," and took no action.

Even after hearing from the victim that the court had issued a restraining order, he said, "It is irresponsible for the court to just send a piece of paper like this," and added, "(Enforcement such as eviction) is something the court should handle."

He even made remarks that seemed to side with the perpetrator, such as "The husband's story also has some merit, so don't throw a tantrum and try to talk it out," and "Today, (the victim) should make a concession."

When a domestic violence perpetrator violates a court's temporary protection order such as a restraining order, the police can order eviction, and if the order is not complied with, they can arrest the offender in flagrante delicto. However, Officer B, who responded at the time, ultimately left the scene without taking any measures to protect the victim.

The police later confirmed that the court's temporary protection order had been delivered to the substation and reportedly returned to the scene on the same day to evict the perpetrator.

A police official stated, "Due to an employee's mistake, proper measures were not taken during the first response," and added, "We will strengthen education to prevent recurrence and are considering disciplinary action against the employee involved."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.