Crimes Targeting Families Beyond Disputes

Expansion to Victims' Families Including Stalking
Fear of Cruel Crimes: Experience the Pain
Regret Over Non-Prosecution Clause in Related Laws

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Recently, crimes targeting family members who are not the subjects of stalking or disputes have been continuing. There are concerns that cruel crimes intended to leave not only physical pain but also psychological suffering on victims are increasing in our society.

According to the police on the 12th, Mr. A, who killed a real estate agent in his 50s in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, was a passionate fan of BB, the victim's daughter who broadcasts games on AfreecaTV, and sponsored the BJ with about 22 million won. However, Mr. A was blocked after repeatedly using abusive language during the game broadcasts, was kicked out of other broadcasters' streams, and, harboring resentment, threatened the broadcaster by saying the family would be harmed. Eventually, on the 4th of this month, Mr. A stabbed the mother of Mr. B, a real estate agent in his 50s, to death with a weapon at a real estate office in Yeokchon-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. Immediately after the crime, Mr. A jumped from the rooftop of a villa about 200 meters away and died. No suicide note was found.

Recently, incidents where the targets of crimes have expanded not only to stalking or dispute subjects but also to family members have occurred one after another. A representative case is Kim Tae-hyun (25), who stalked a woman in her 20s met through an online game and killed her younger sister and mother as well in March. Kim Tae-hyun visited the victim's house in Nowon-gu because she refused contact and sequentially killed the younger sister, mother, and the victim herself. There are also cases like Baek Kwang-seok (48), who killed his cohabiting partner's middle school son in Jeju Island in July this year.

Experts point out that such family-targeted crimes are frequent especially in stalking cases. Family members who intervene to stop stalking are perceived by perpetrators as 'obstacles interfering with exclusive love.'

Starting from the 20th, the 'Act on the Punishment of Stalking Crimes, etc. (Stalking Punishment Act)' will be enforced, which can punish stalking with up to 3 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million won, but the provision allowing withdrawal of charges at the victim's discretion is criticized as a shortcoming. There remains a possibility that perpetrators may threaten victims or their families to avoid punishment.

Professor Lee Soo-jung of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University said, "The scope of retaliation in stalking crimes is very broad," and added, "With the Stalking Punishment Act soon to be enforced, it is necessary to expand protection targets to include family members."

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