Beating, confinement, filming... Repeated 'date violence' sparks outrage over weak punishment

Dating Violence: Must Victims Desperately Appeal for Arrest?
47,755 Criminal Cases in 5 Years... Only 4.2% Resulted in Detention
Experts Urge Active Protection of Victims

CCTV footage capturing the situation at the time related to the case of the late Hwang Ye-jin, who died after being assaulted by her boyfriend in an officetel in Mapo-gu, Seoul last July. Photo by SBS broadcast screen capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Recently, on the way home from work on Seoul Subway Line 4, an announcement requesting public attention was broadcast, stating that "a family member died due to dating violence." The train operator who made the announcement is known to be a family member of the late Hwang Yejin, who was assaulted by her boyfriend and died in an officetel in Mapo-gu, Seoul, last July.

This announcement became known after a social media post by a citizen who was on the subway at the time went viral, drawing much public sympathy. The perpetrator, Mr. A, accused of assaulting and causing the death of Hwang, was arrested on the 16th after two detention hearings. Initially, the court had dismissed the arrest warrant for Mr. A, citing reasons such as "no risk of flight."

Although the severity of dating violence is increasing, there are ongoing criticisms that measures and punishments against perpetrators remain insufficient. In the dating violence case involving an army lieutenant that occurred last March, the perpetrator was only arrested half a month after being transferred to military prosecution. Experts emphasize that active legal application, including victim protection measures and enhanced punishment for perpetrators of dating violence crimes, is necessary.

On July 25, Hwang was assaulted multiple times on the head and other parts of her body by Mr. A. Due to the assault, Hwang suffered gastrointestinal bleeding, rib fractures, and lung damage, falling into a coma, and ultimately died on the 17th of last month from traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Initially, the court dismissed Mr. A’s arrest warrant, citing a low risk of flight.

In response, Hwang’s family posted a petition on the Blue House’s national petition platform, revealing Hwang’s real name, face, and closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the assault, expressing their opposition. This was a desperate appeal highlighting the seriousness of dating violence crimes and the need for proper punishment of perpetrators. Mr. A was arrested on the 16th on charges of injury resulting in death, about 50 days after the assault incident.

A post by the late Hwang Ye-jin's mother, who died after being assaulted by her boyfriend, uploaded last month on the Blue House National Petition Board. / Photo by Blue House National Petition Board capture

The weak response to perpetrators of dating violence is not unprecedented. In the dating violence case involving an army lieutenant last March, victim Ms. B reported to the police that Lieutenant C assaulted, raped, injured, and committed revenge porn (distributing sexual photos or videos to retaliate against a partner). However, protective measures for the victim were not promptly implemented.

According to Ms. B, after reporting the dating violence to the police, no measures or controls were taken against Lieutenant C. Ms. B revealed that Lieutenant C came to her house and pressured her to withdraw the complaint, constituting secondary victimization, and she informed the military police investigator in charge but received no assistance.

In an online community post disclosing the victimization, Ms. B pleaded, "Why must the victim live in hiding... Please conduct a proper and truthful investigation." Lieutenant C was arrested on June 24, two months after Ms. B’s police report.

The lenient punishment of perpetrators is also reflected in statistics. According to data received by Justice Party lawmaker Lee Eunju, a member of the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee, from the National Police Agency on the "Number of reports, arrests, and measures taken by type of dating violence over the past five years," from 2016 to 2020, a total of 47,755 dating violence cases involving murder and attempted murder, assault and injury, detention, confinement, threats, and sexual violence were recorded. Among these, 227 perpetrators were arrested on charges of murder or attempted murder.

However, of the 47,755 arrested, only 2,007 were detained, accounting for just 4.2%. Lawmaker Lee emphasized, "In a situation where one is not even detained unless they kill or beat the other to death, such horrific crimes will inevitably continue," calling for strong sanctions and punishments against dating violence crimes.

Citizens are outraged by the passive response to perpetrators. Mr. Heo, a 20-something office worker, said, "It seems dating violence is viewed merely as a trivial quarrel between men and women," and raised his voice, "Why must victims, who are already suffering, have to prove their victimization and plead for punishment?"

Experts stress the need for active legal application, including victim protection measures and enhanced punishment for perpetrators of dating violence crimes.

Attorney Lee Eunui (Lee Eunui Law Office) stated, "While there are special laws for child abuse and domestic violence, dating violence is subject to general criminal law such as assault or injury. Since dating violence often occurs repeatedly and there is a high possibility of secondary victimization such as retaliation by the perpetrator even after reporting, appropriate protective measures for victims must be implemented."

Attorney Lee added, "Not only in dating violence but also in cases of physical violence such as assault and threats, the detention rate is low in Korea. It is difficult to say that relevant statistical data are properly prepared. Especially, courts should actively study and publish statistics such as detention rates for cases classified as murder or injury. Such efforts will raise social awareness of dating violence."

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