"Similar to Ex-Girlfriend's Number"… Stalking Man Calls Unknown Woman

Called with Caller ID Blocked and Cried
Fined 10 Million Won... "Victim's Pain Severe"

A man in his 30s who called a woman he had never met before using a blocked number because her phone number was similar to that of his ex-girlfriend, then cried and asked her to "comfort him," was sentenced to a fine.

On the 14th, Judge Lee Eun-sang of the Chuncheon District Court Criminal Division 3 sentenced A (35), who was charged with violating the Act on the Punishment of Stalking Crimes, to a fine of 10 million won and also ordered him to complete 40 hours of a stalking treatment program.

On July 13 last year, around midnight, A called a woman in her 20s whom he did not know from his home in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, using a blocked number. A then asked the woman, "Do you know who I am? Do you have any guesses?" and said, "Please don't hang up. I'm having a hard time right now. I called because your phone number is similar to my ex-girlfriend's."

The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Image source=Pixabay]

From then until October of the same year, A repeatedly called the victim against her will. During the calls, he gave the absurd reason that he was calling because he wanted comfort after breaking up with his girlfriend, even crying on the phone. A was eventually brought to trial for violating the Stalking Punishment Act.

The judge pointed out, "The defendant repeatedly called the victim, whom he had no acquaintance with, using a blocked number or caused missed call notifications, which is a very serious offense." He added, "The victim likely experienced extreme mental distress such as fear and anxiety due to this crime, and also received psychiatric treatment for stress and depressive symptoms."

Regarding the sentencing, the judge explained, "However, consideration was given to the fact that the defendant had no prior stalking offenses and did not escalate to visiting or threatening the victim."

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