Violation of Protective Measures and Murder... Automatic Reporting to Police for Violation of Restraining Orders

[Financial News] A system is being promoted where if a stalking perpetrator under a restraining order contacts the victim, the police are automatically notified. To increase the accuracy of assessing the perpetrator's risk of recidivism, artificial intelligence (AI) will be utilized, and legislative efforts will be accelerated for punishing dating violence, which currently lacks legal basis.
The Korean National Police Agency announced on the 25th that it is promoting a 'Comprehensive Measures for Relationship Crimes'. As serious incidents such as stalking and dating murders continue to occur in intimate relationships, related cases were analyzed to prepare policy tasks.
First, a system will be established where the police can automatically recognize if the perpetrator does not comply with the restraining order. Restraining orders prohibit approaching within 100 meters or using telecommunications such as phone calls. To focus on the latter, the police plan to develop an app that can be installed on the victim's phone. If the perpetrator's phone number is entered into the app and they contact via phone or text, it will be reported to the police. The police are preparing for development with the aim of implementation from next year.
This measure is to prevent the recurrence of incidents that lead to serious crimes even after restraining orders have been issued.
In reality, there have been many cases where the police could have recognized the risk in advance but failed to prevent serious crimes occurring in intimate relationships.
From the beginning of the year until last month, out of 388 relationship murder crimes (including attempted murder and murder preparation), 70 cases were identified as preceded by female violence. Among these, nearly half, 30 cases, had a history of reports or investigations, meaning the police were aware of them in advance. There were 23 cases where protective measures under the Stalking Punishment Act and Domestic Violence Punishment Act were implemented.
Among the protective measures, restraining orders were issued 46 times. This means that even cases where the police recognized the risk and applied for restraining orders, which were approved by the court and extended multiple times, led to serious crimes. Additionally, there were two cases of detention in holding cells and two cases of electronic anklet (location tracking electronic device) attachment, yet the crimes could not be prevented.
Even in cases where physical restraining orders are issued, monitoring is strengthened. The police are promoting a plan to share real-time location information from electronic anklets with the Ministry of Justice's location tracking control center. This will be linked to the 112 system, and if a dangerous situation arises, it will be promptly addressed. For those with a high risk of recidivism among restraining order subjects, mobile patrol units will be deployed around their residences. If a violation of the restraining order is confirmed through the app or patrols, strict measures such as detention or arrest will be taken.
AI will also be used to enhance the analysis of the perpetrator's risk of recidivism. An AI-based recidivism risk assessment model will be installed in the 'Comprehensive Platform for Protecting Socially Vulnerable People', which is being developed to integrate the scattered management of perpetrator and victim information. The data from the Abuse Prevention Police Officer (APO) system, which contains consultation and call details with victims, will be machine-learned to predict high-risk groups. The plan is to invest 9.07 billion won over three years starting this year and utilize the program from 2027.
To strengthen victim protection, monitoring will be mandated even if provisional measures or arrest warrants are dismissed, and after the isolation period ends. Safety measures such as private security and intelligent CCTV will also be supported. Joint monitoring will be conducted with the 'Domestic Violence·Sexual Violence Integrated Counseling Center', a private organization under the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, to provide tailored counseling and treatment support.
The emergency support system will be reformed to enable rapid support by transferring the crime victim protection fund, which includes relief money, medical expenses, and living expenses, currently operated by the prosecution, to the police.
The 'Prosecution-Police Stalking Crime Response Council', which has been operating since 2022, will be expanded to the 'Relationship Crime Response Policy Council' with participation from the police, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Ministry of Education.
Support for the Women's and Youth Division, which is less preferred within the police, will also be strengthened. If a case is closed without charges due to active investigation using the investigator immunity system, even if a criminal complaint is filed, it will be concluded without referral, and if it goes to trial, support will be provided at the level of the Korean National Police Agency. Efforts will be made to retain and attract excellent personnel through special promotions, special salary increases, and government awards, and to increase personnel in the Victim Protection Team and Women's and Youth Investigation Team.
Legislation for dating violence, which lacks legal basis, is also being promoted. Currently, nine bills have been proposed, including a new law and amendments to include dating violence in the Stalking Punishment Act and Domestic Violence Punishment Act. The police believe that including dating violence in the Stalking Punishment Act can be expedited the most.
Jo Joo-eun, Director of the Women's Safety and School Violence Countermeasures at the Korean National Police Agency, said, "We will strengthen risk assessment to ensure thorough victim protection and create a work environment where police officers can work with a sense of mission and outlook."

unsaid@fnnews.com Kang Myung-yeon Reporter