"Still a World That Needs 'Gwak Dupal'... Single Women Still Feel Anxious"

Another Crime Targeting Women Occurs at Night... Single Female Households Feel Insecure
Residential Intrusion Crimes Against Women Increased by 61.6% in 5 Years
"Residential Intrusion Likely Leads to More Serious Violent Crimes"

Crimes targeting women living alone are occurring one after another, increasing the anxiety of single female households.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Gwak Du-pal, Jo Dae-chun, Yuk Man-chun. These are the so-called 'List of Three Intimidating Names' known through online communities three years ago. Single women used these somewhat rough-sounding pseudonyms to receive deliveries in order not to reveal that they live alone. Leaving men's shoes at the entrance or hanging men's clothes by the window is also for the same reason. Some women even use so-called 'voice guards' that record adult male voices saying phrases like "Who is it?" or "Leave it at the door."

Unfortunately, even after three years, crimes targeting women living alone continue to occur. In particular, residential intrusion crimes where perpetrators follow women returning home and try to enter their houses are increasing. Residential intrusion is highly dangerous as it can lead to other violent crimes, but if it remains an attempt, it is practically difficult to prove the intent to commit a violent crime, making strong punishment challenging.

According to recent media reports, around 6:30 a.m. on the 6th near Daehung Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul, a man secretly followed a woman who was returning home alone. When the woman, aware that someone was following her, turned around, the man changed direction and entered a nearby building. Feeling relieved, the woman resumed her path, but the man ran at full speed to follow her again. When the woman entered her home, the man tried to step inside the front door, but fortunately, the woman quickly closed the door, preventing harm.

This incident is similar to one that occurred three years ago in Sillim-dong, Seoul. In May 2019, a man followed a woman returning home and tried to forcibly open the door and enter her house when she went inside. CCTV footage showing the man grabbing the door handle by a hair's breadth as the woman entered sparked public outrage.

At that time, citizens raised their voices demanding the man be punished for 'attempted rape,' arguing that he followed the woman with the intent to commit the crime. They claimed that if the woman had not quickly closed the door, he would have committed a violent crime such as sexual assault. This is because many women see a strong correlation between residential intrusion and sexual crimes. If the motive had been theft, it is speculated that the perpetrator would have broken in when the house was empty rather than following the woman.

As the controversy grew, the man was tried on charges including residential intrusion and attempted rape, but was ultimately convicted only of residential intrusion and sentenced to one year in prison. This is because under current law, it is impossible to punish based on assumptions about crimes that did not actually occur. Professor Oh Yoon-sung of Soonchunhyang University’s Department of Police Administration explained, "There were claims that the attempted rape charge should be applied in the Sillim-dong case, but the court did not accept it, resulting in a light sentence. Under current law, it can only be punished as attempted residential intrusion."

A safety mirror (mirror sheet) is installed at the entrance of the one-room. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

Women’s anxiety about residential intrusion crimes is not unfounded. Crimes targeting women living alone continue unabated. On the 12th, the Suwon District Court Criminal Appeals Division 4 (Chief Judge Kim Kyung-jin) sentenced a man in his 40s, Mr. A, to one year and two months in prison for residential intrusion. Mr. A was charged with unlawfully entering the home of a woman, Ms. B, who lives alone, around 9:20 p.m. on January 5 this year. It was found that he entered the living room through an open veranda window and confirmed it was a woman’s home by seeing shoes placed at the entrance. Also, last month in Incheon, a man in his 20s who left underwear and lipstick in front of homes of women living alone was caught by the police.

Statistics also confirm the increase in residential intrusion crimes targeting single women households. According to data received by Representative Choi Ki-sang of the Democratic Party from the National Police Agency in October last year, residential intrusion crimes against female victims increased by 61.6%, from 6,034 cases in 2016 to 9,751 cases in 2020.

Experts emphasize the need for laws or systems to prevent related crimes. Professor Lee Soo-jung of Kyonggi University’s Department of Criminal Psychology said in an interview with Channel A, "Crimes involving residential intrusion for property are more effective when targeting houses with valuable assets. However, the largest group of victims is women in their 20s." She added, "There needs to be a law that draws a line somewhere in between. Creating laws or systems that can regulate the space between residential intrusion and sexual assault could be an alternative."

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