Reviewing All Stalking Cases... Police Establishing On-Site Response Standards

Case Study Research Service Order
Clarification of Concepts Such as Anxiety and Fear
Establishment of Criteria for Protective Measures Judgment

The Act on the Punishment of Stalking Crimes has passed the plenary session of the National Assembly. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Ahead of the enforcement of the ‘Stalking Punishment Act’ scheduled for October, the police are conducting a comprehensive analysis of stalking crime punishment precedents to establish on-site response standards.

According to the police on the 20th, the National Police Agency recently commissioned a ‘Research Service for the Analysis of Stalking Cases and Precedents to Establish On-Site Judgment Standards.’ The police plan to first identify the types and forms of stalking crimes through detailed case analysis. The Stalking Punishment Act, passed by the National Assembly in March, defines stalking crimes as ‘engaging in stalking behavior continuously or repeatedly.’ If stalking is carried out continuously or repeatedly, the offender may face imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won, and if armed with a weapon, the punishment is increased to imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won.

Since the law includes abstract concepts such as ‘anxiety/fear’ and ‘continuous/repetitive,’ this research aims to specify what actions cause anxiety and fear and to what extent behaviors can be considered continuous or repetitive. Vulnerability factors of victims and risk factors of perpetrators in stalking crimes will also be analyzed to establish judgment criteria for protective measures for stalking victims. The Stalking Punishment Act allows the police, with court approval, to take urgent emergency measures such as prohibiting approach within 100 meters or prohibiting contact via electronic communication to prevent stalking crimes.

The results of this research will be used to draft specific guidelines for implementing protective measures. The police plan to complete the research and prepare detailed response guidelines before the full enforcement of the Stalking Punishment Act. A police official stated, “We will establish a strict response system for stalking behavior and stalking crimes and take the lead in promptly protecting victims.”

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