[That Guy's Shadow] Not Only Victims but Also Parents and Siblings Targeted... Families in Fear

<strong>Stalking Crime Threatens Family Members<br>Perpetrator Seen as Biggest Obstacle<br>Various Warning Signs Like Trespassing and Threats<br>Light Punishments and Weak Protection Measures<br>Calls for Introduction of Victim Protection Orders</strong>

Kim Tae-hyun (25), accused of murdering three mothers and daughters in an apartment in Nowon-gu, Seoul [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Donghoon Jeong and Byeongdon Yoo] A man in his 30s who stalked a 20-something internet broadcast host (BJ) in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. Baek Gwangseok (48), who stalked his cohabiting partner in Jeju Island. Kim Taehyun (25), the suspect in the Nowon-gu three-women murder case.

The commonality among them is that the targets of their crimes expanded beyond the stalking victims to include their families. In the Eunpyeong-gu case, the stalking victim’s mother was targeted; in the Jeju case, the son was murdered. Kim Taehyun took the lives of the stalking victim as well as her mother and younger sister.

Stalking crimes cause even family members to live in fear. There is an increasing number of cases where perpetrators directly threaten those around the victim who try to protect them.

Family members or acquaintances become targets of stalking crimes because they are the biggest ‘obstacle’ to the perpetrator. Stalking refers to the act of intentionally following someone continuously against their will, causing mental and physical harm. Because of this, most cases involve the victim’s family, whom the victim depends on physically and mentally, becoming involved in the crime first. In this process, relatives and acquaintances of the victim also become targets. There are also cases where perpetrators threaten the victim or their family to avoid punishment.

Baek Gwang-seok, who was arrested and indicted on charges of murdering his former cohabiting partner's middle school son
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The number of requests for victim protection obtained from the National Police Agency increased from about 14,773 last year to 21,700 as of the 17th. Compared to the same period last year, this is a 46.8% increase. The number of protection requests was 4,912 in 2016, 6,889 in 2017, 9,442 in 2018, and 13,686 in 2019, increasing annually by 7% to 44%.

Although the number of protection requests is rising sharply, the scope of protection for stalking crime victims is limited. As a result, police protection measures to prevent additional criminal damage in various forms of violent crime such as home intrusion and threats are not effectively functioning.

According to the current Stalking Punishment Act, when there is a need to prevent additional crimes, emergency measures can be taken for one month to prohibit the perpetrator from approaching within 100 meters of the victim. Violations result in a fine of up to 10 million won. The legal basis for protecting family members and stalking reporters is weak. Confusion arises in police practice regarding the concepts of the stalking act’s counterpart, victim, and the scope of protection in police procedures.

Park Boram, a lawyer at the Law Office Bium, said that the Stalking Punishment Act should introduce a ‘victim protection order system’ where victims can directly apply to the court for protective measures. Lawyer Park said, "If there is a risk of retaliation against the crime reporter and their relatives, safety measures should be taken for a certain period, allowing victim applications or enabling police protection ex officio when there is a risk of crime occurrence."

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