‘Repeated Calls, Bank Transfers’ Evolving Stalking Methods... Is Prevention Possible?

Depositing 1 Won Over 100 Times into Victim's Account
Cannot Punish If Hundreds of Calls Are Not Answered

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A man in his 30s who repeatedly deposited 1 won into his ex-lover’s online bank account while leaving messages was sentenced to probation. This stalking suspect was indicted on charges of stalking by depositing 1 won 120 times into his ex-lover’s online bank account and leaving messages in the 'deposit details' section. When his ex changed her phone number to prevent further contact, he left messages such as "If you don’t want to talk on the phone, please message me on KakaoTalk" in the bank account. However, the court did not impose a prison sentence, stating that "the defendant is a first-time offender."

A man in his 20s, accused of stalking by depositing 1 won about 100 times into the account of a woman he was following and sending messages like ‘meet me,’ was also sent to prosecution in custody. Since November last year, this man had been following a woman in her 20s, Ms. B, for over a year, sending hundreds of phone calls and text messages.

Stalking crimes are evolving into more cunning methods that evade legal nets. Although more than a year has passed since the Stalking Punishment Act was enacted, rulings that undermine the legislative intent to protect victims continue to emerge.

As of the 14th, according to the police and Korea Women’s Hotline, the number of stalking reports received by the police in the one year following the enforcement of the Stalking Punishment Act last October totaled 29,000 cases. This is about 1.5 times more than the 19,000 cases reported to the police over the three years before the law was enacted.

Since the enforcement of the Stalking Punishment Act, social interest in stalking has increased, and public calls for strict punishment have spread, but the methods of crime are evolving instead. Instead of directly harassing victims, a typical method is to instill fear through phone calls or social networking services (SNS).

Currently, stalking as defined by the Stalking Punishment Act includes five types of acts: △approaching, following, or blocking the victim’s path △waiting or watching at the victim’s residence, workplace, or school △using letters, phone calls, or information and communication networks to deliver sounds or words △delivering objects △damaging objects at or near the victim’s residence.

Even if someone persistently calls, if the other party does not answer, it cannot be punished under the stalking law. Given this situation, opinions have been raised that the Stalking Punishment Act should be supplemented. Recently, Democratic Party lawmakers Lee Tan-hee and Lee Sung-man proposed an amendment to the Stalking Punishment Act to punish stalking even for attempted acts.

The amendment adds to the existing stalking provisions that involve repeatedly delivering messages or sounds via phone or information and communication networks the clause that "it is considered delivered even if the recipient is aware of such transmission." Lawmaker Lee Tan-hee explained, "The reason stalking victims avoid phone calls is due to fear and anxiety, so it makes no sense for perpetrators to be acquitted because the victim avoided the calls. The amendment was proposed so that perpetrators can be punished as stalkers even if the victim avoids persistent contact out of fear."

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