Stalking and Domestic Violence Arrests Up 41.6%; Orders to Attach Electronic Monitoring Devices Surge 388%

[Financial News] The police have strengthened measures to isolate perpetrators and protect victims in so-called "relationship-based crimes," including stalking and domestic violence. As a result, apprehensions, detentions and orders to attach electronic monitoring devices have all increased this year. 
According to the Korean National Police Agency on the 1st, 43,788 stalking and domestic violence suspects were apprehended from January through August, up 41.6% from 30,924 during the same period last year. The number of detentions also rose 15.1%, from 729 to 839. 
Measures to isolate suspects other than detention were also expanded. The number of detention decisions for stalking and domestic violence suspects increased 47.1% during the same period, from 607 to 893. Decisions to attach electronic monitoring devices to stalking suspects rose 388.4%, from 155 to 757, reaching about 4.9 times the previous figure. 
The same response continued during the Chuseok holiday. From the 24th through the 27th, the daily average number of applications for arrest warrants in stalking and domestic violence cases increased 88.5% from 5.2 during last year's Chuseok holiday to 9.8 this year. Applications for detention rose 23.5%, from 5.1 to 6.3, while applications to attach electronic monitoring devices increased 45.8%, from 2.4 to 3.5. 
A man serving a four-year prison sentence for charges including preparation for murder continued stalking and threatening his ex-wife while incarcerated, including by sending her letters. As his release approached, police demonstrated that he posed a risk of reoffending and applied for an isolation measure. They rearrested him on suspicion of violating the Act on the Punishment of Stalking Crimes. Police also implemented safety measures for the victim and her family and prepared a private security plan in case the warrant was rejected. 
In a case involving a former romantic partner, the suspect was apprehended on the same day the complaint was filed. Police determined that after the victim ended the relationship, he threatened to distribute a sex video and used it as leverage to stalk and rape her. While interviewing the victim, police also learned that the suspect had been calling and texting her and visiting her home. Considering him high-risk, they formed two teams—a suspect apprehension team and a victim protection team—and launched a search. After arresting him in the act, police simultaneously applied for an arrest warrant and provisional measures Nos. 1 through 4. 
In another case, a suspect went to the home of a victim with whom he was having an affair after she refused to meet him. He dragged her, as she was returning home, to the stairwell leading to the rooftop of her apartment building, assaulted her and attempted to sexually assault her. Police emergency-arrested the suspect and connected the victim with a Sunflower Center. They then persuaded the initially reluctant victim to give a statement, confirmed additional harm including attempted rape, filming with a camera and threats involving the recorded material, and detained the suspect. Police also applied stalking charges to his act of visiting the victim's home and issued urgent emergency measures. 
A suspect who threatened not only the victim but also her family was also apprehended. The suspect, who had been placed under urgent emergency measures for stalking, went to the victim's family's home carrying a weapon and was arrested in the act while making aggravated threats. Through real-time monitoring, police confirmed that another police station had issued urgent emergency measures against him. They consolidated the case with the existing stalking case and simultaneously sought an arrest warrant, a detention order and the attachment of an electronic monitoring device.
The police believe that early intervention and isolating perpetrators are crucial because relationship-based crimes occur within intimate relationships and can lead to repeat offenses or serious crimes. They are therefore pursuing rigorous investigations of perpetrators, comprehensive inspections and focused activities to protect victims. 
An official with the Korean National Police Agency said, "Because the police are working to respond firmly from the outset and isolate perpetrators, it is important for victims to report incidents actively." The official added, "At the end of the year, we will conduct another comprehensive inspection of relationship-based crimes and mount a thorough response to eliminate blind spots in victim protection."

[email protected] Kim Ye-ji Reporter