Introduction of 'Early Warning System' for Stalking Crime Response... Mandatory Application for Detention at Serious Stage Holding Cells

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Announces 'Measures to Strengthen On-Site Response to Stalking Crimes'
Distinguishes Caution, Crisis, Seriousness... Direct Involvement of On-Site Managers by Stage
Establishes 'Interim Measure No. 4' Standards for Detaining Perpetrators in Holding Cells and Detention Centers
Forms Dedicated Task Force for Sensitive Cases at 112 Comprehensive Situation Room
Special Comprehensive Investigation of Cases Involving Socially Vulnerable Groups at All Police Stations

Suspect Kim Byung-chan, who was receiving personal protection due to stalking, is being transferred to the prosecution from Seoul Namdaemun Police Station on the 29th. Kim is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend A at around 11:30 a.m. on the 19th at an officetel in Jung-gu, Seoul, using a weapon. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Following the murder case in an officetel in Jung-gu, Seoul, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, aiming to improve responses to stalking crimes, has decided to introduce an 'early warning system' and strengthen victim protection measures such as emergency response actions. A separate 'Sensitive Cases Task Force' will be organized within the 112 situation room to focus on crimes against socially vulnerable groups, and a special comprehensive investigation of related cases will be conducted at all police stations across Seoul.

On the 15th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced the 'Measures to Strengthen On-Site Response to Stalking Crimes,' which centers on these initiatives. This plan was developed by operating a 'Stalking Crime Response Improvement Task Force (TF),' thoroughly reviewing the current response system, and gathering opinions from external experts and field officers.

The core of this plan is the introduction of the 'early warning system.' Depending on the level of risk when an incident occurs, on-site managers (chiefs, division heads, team leaders) will directly intervene to enhance on-site response capabilities. Accordingly, all stalking cases will be classified into three risk levels: 'Caution,' 'Crisis,' and 'Severe.'

The 'Caution' level applies when stalking behavior occurs as a one-time incident. Emergency measures such as informing the victim of their rights at the scene, issuing a written warning to the perpetrator, and imposing emergency restraining orders are implemented. The 'Crisis' level is triggered if there has been at least one stalking crime and within the past five years there are two or more reports, investigations, or criminal records, or if there has been direct physical violence such as injury, assault, or home intrusion. Immediate escalation to the crisis level also occurs if threats to harm the victim or those around them are made.

The 'Severe' level applies when the crisis criteria are met and additional factors such as mental illness or drug addiction symptoms are present, or if there is a violation of emergency or provisional measures. If the perpetrator expresses intent to kill the victim or carries dangerous items such as weapons, the case is immediately classified as severe without additional conditions. At all levels, emergency response actions, personal protection, and transfer to protective facilities are considered and implemented. When a case is judged to be at the crisis level, authorities take more proactive steps to secure the suspect’s custody, including on-the-spot arrest and detention under Provisional Measure No. 4. At the severe level, communication warrants are applied for to locate and swiftly apprehend the suspect, and Provisional Measure No. 4 and arrest warrants are mandatorily requested.

Early Warning System. [Provided by Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency]

Risk level classification is conducted through a 'Risk Warning Assessment Meeting' chaired by the police station’s responsible division head, with participation from relevant departments. The meeting is held daily to assess the risk level of all stalking cases that occurred the previous day and any cases with additional risk signs under the early warning system. Comprehensive victim protection plans, including the type and duration of personal protection and the necessity of provisional measures, are decided. If there are significant changes such as the suspect’s release, safety measures for the victim, including temporary shelter admission, are also discussed.

Furthermore, on-site managers directly intervene according to the risk level to strengthen response capabilities. Team leaders handle the caution level, division heads intervene at the crisis level, and police station chiefs take direct command at the severe level. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s comprehensive situation room acts as a control tower, managing 'Code 0' emergencies from report reception to case closure. Regional stations have revised guidelines so that patrol team leaders approve the closure of important reports such as stalking and dating violence.

Problems at each stage of case progression are also addressed. When receiving 112 reports from individuals under personal protection, the system, which previously dispatched officers based solely on the smartwatch location, now simultaneously dispatches to the reporter’s home and workplace. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s 112 comprehensive situation room has established a separate 'Sensitive Cases Task Force' to provide and utilize related information such as report history from the moment of receiving reports on stalking, sexual violence, domestic violence, child abuse, and dating violence and personal protection cases, and reviews case closure details to address deficiencies. When a detained suspect is released, the victim is notified of the release and timing according to the risk level criteria before Provisional Measure No. 4 is executed, ensuring no gaps in victim protection. The perpetrator is released only after safety is secured through personal protection measures such as admission to temporary shelters.

Additionally, for individuals under personal protection who receive smartwatches, the Seoul city government will prioritize support for 'Safe Home Sets,' including entrance CCTV, and from next year, counseling and treatment programs for perpetrator rehabilitation will be introduced.

Meanwhile, from the 16th until the end of this month, the police plan to conduct a special comprehensive investigation of cases involving socially vulnerable victims held at all police stations in Seoul. Target cases include stalking, sexual violence, dating violence, child abuse, and domestic violence. The investigation will assess risk levels according to the early warning system. The appropriateness of suspect custody management and victim protection measures will be re-examined, and victim protection measures will be implemented according to risk levels. Any deficiencies in investigations will be supplemented. During the same period, to improve on-site response capabilities to stalking crimes, simulated training (FTX) will be conducted at each police station using virtual scenarios similar to actual reporting situations.

Choi Gwan-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated, "The police’s promise of personal protection must be upheld, and to this end, we plan to refine the crisis response system and expand it across all police work that may lead to crisis situations."

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