The "Bare Face" of the Korea Coast Guard Exposed by Stalking Crimes

10 Cases Detected in the Past 3 Years... Severe Breakdown in Discipline
Moon Geumju: "Organizational Management Failure... Urgent Need for Reform and Renewal"

Moon Geumju, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Stalking crimes committed by public officials affiliated with the Korea Coast Guard have reached a serious level. Since the implementation of the Act on the Punishment of Stalking Crimes (hereinafter referred to as the Stalking Punishment Act) in October 2021, it has been confirmed that as many as 10 Korea Coast Guard employees have been referred for investigation due to violations of the law.

According to data on "Investigation Notifications of Public Officials Involved in Stalking Crimes" submitted to Moon Geumju, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Goheung, Boseong, Jangheung, and Gangjin in South Jeolla Province), by the Korea Coast Guard on the 25th, notifications of stalking investigations have been consistently reported: three cases in 2023, three cases in 2024, and four cases in 2025.

The more serious issue is that, except for two individuals who were dismissed or removed from office due to additional misconduct, eight out of the ten identified offenders are still serving in their positions. Some cases have gone beyond mere personal misconduct, revealing instances where the authority and public resources of the police organization were exploited for private purposes, indicating a severe breakdown in discipline within the Korea Coast Guard.

In one actual case, Inspector A persistently demanded a relationship from a female subordinate, even visiting her at a branch office to harass her, and threatened the victim not to disclose his actions. He even attempted to assault the victim and spread negative rumors, engaging in shameless behavior. In another case, Civilian Employee B repeatedly contacted an ex-partner not only with his personal mobile phone but also using an official Korea Coast Guard work phone, raising controversy over violations of the Stalking Punishment Act.

The Stalking Punishment Act stipulates up to three years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million won for offenders. In particular, the Police Officials Act imposes strict standards, such as restricting police officer appointments for three years in cases where a fine of 1 million won or more is confirmed for a stalking crime. Beyond such legal sanctions, there is a growing call for even stricter organizational measures against current Korea Coast Guard officers.

Moon Geumju stated, "It is a clear sign of the collapse of discipline within the Korea Coast Guard when those tasked with protecting public safety instead threaten citizens through stalking," adding, "This breakdown in discipline is dulling the sense of criminal awareness among frontline staff."

Moon Geumju also emphasized, "This is not simply a matter of individual misconduct but a problem resulting from the Korea Coast Guard's failure in organizational management," and urged, "Immediate and strong reforms and the establishment of discipline are urgently needed to prevent recurrence."

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