Prosecutors seek arrest warrant for suspect in fatal stabbing of ex-partner
Published: 16 Mar. 2026, 17:08
![An electronic ankle monitor [NEWS1]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/03/16/e090413d-372a-4899-83fa-c75e1bee4c4e.jpg)
An electronic ankle monitor [NEWS1]
Prosecutors sought an arrest warrant Monday for a man accused of killing his former partner in violation of a restraining order.
The woman was killed with a weapon on a street in Namyangju, Gyeonggi, at about 8:58 a.m. on Friday.
The suspect reportedly took an unidentified drug before officers arrested him, and emergency responders transported him to a hospital for treatment.
A court plans to hold a warrant review at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Authorities will decide whether the suspect will attend depending on his health.
“We have detained the suspect on suspicion of murder and are questioning him, but his condition is unclear, so we have not conducted proper questioning,” police said.
On Monday, police apologized that the incident occurred even though the woman was placed under protective measures, including the issuance of a smartwatch connected to a police monitoring system.
![A police logo [YONHAP]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/03/16/33a32b58-7c43-4748-a6d0-d03c7a860c16.jpg)
A police logo [YONHAP]
“We offer our deepest condolences regarding the failure to prevent the victim’s death,” a Korean National Police Agency official said during a press briefing on Monday. “We regret that stronger measures against the suspect did not take place in connection with the victim’s death. The Women’s Safety Planning Division and other units will examine the relevant police precinct, and we will take appropriate measures if problems appear."
Police did not conduct a risk assessment on a repeat stalking offense because investigators had already planned to seek an arrest warrant. Police are also reviewing the victim’s past reports and officer responses.
Authorities had already imposed temporary measures on the suspect under the antistalking law, including a written warning and a ban on approaching or contacting her. The same restrictions were imposed under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Crimes of Domestic Violence for assaulting the victim.
The orders barred him from approaching within 100 meters (328 feet) of the victim or contacting her through phone or other communication methods. Police also issued the victim a smartwatch that sends emergency signals to officers.
The victim also reported to police on Jan. 28 that she had discovered what she believed to be a tracking device installed by the suspect in her car. Police notified the suspect to appear for questioning on Feb. 13 and Feb. 27, but he did not respond either time.
![A police line image [JOONGANG ILBO]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/03/16/11a541a6-3a79-4d62-8f63-168cc936faea.jpg)
A police line image [JOONGANG ILBO]
At the time of the attack, the woman pressed the emergency button on the smartwatch shortly beforehand, but police and firefighters found her unresponsive when they arrived.
Because the suspect's ankle monitor was related to a separate sex crime unrelated to the victim, the device did not trigger a proximity warning.
The suspect also reportedly damaged the monitor after the attack and fled before officers arrested him in Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi.
“Recent cases show that restraining orders are highly ineffective,” said Heo Min-sook, a researcher at the National Assembly Research Service. “Authorities need to completely separate perpetrators and victims to prevent tragedies in relationship-based crimes. The National Assembly should also revise relevant laws and provide institutional support so police can strengthen their initial response."
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY JEON ICK-JIN, KIM NAM-JUN AND BYUN MIN-CHUL [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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