Light penalties, fears of revenge: Namyangju murder exposes flaws in Korea's antistalking system

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Light penalties, fears of revenge: Namyangju murder exposes flaws in Korea's antistalking system

Published: 01 Apr. 2026, 07:00 Updated: 01 Apr. 2026, 15:31

CHO JUNG-WOO
[email protected]

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

A civic group calls for stronger and more effective measures to prevent stalking and domestic violence after the killing of a woman in her 20s in Namyangju, Gyeonggi, earlier this month, in front of the fountain at the Blue House in Jongno District, central Seoul, on March 17. [YONHAP]

Nearly five years after Korea enacted a law targeting stalking crimes, a recent killing in Namyangju, Gyeonggi, is spotlighting whether the system is failing at its most critical moment — preventing violence in high-risk cases.

A young woman was killed on March 14, allegedly by a man who had previously been reported for stalking her, despite being subject to court-ordered restrictions.

Experts say the case highlights a systemic weakness — while legal tools exist, they are not always used aggressively enough to stop escalation.

The Namyangju suspect, Kim Hoon, 44, whose identity was disclosed by police due to the brutality of the crime, had previously been in a romantic relationship with the victim. Experts say stalking crimes often occur between individuals who know each other.

Kim had already been subject to provisional measures, including a court order barring him from coming within 100 meters (328 feet) of the victim or contacting her via telecommunications. He was also wearing an electronic ankle monitor for a past sexual offense, in a separate case, and was under supervision by the Ministry of Justice. However, that monitoring system was not linked to the emergency smartwatch issued to the victim by the police.

The victim reportedly pressed the emergency button on the smartwatch, but it was too late when Kim allegedly appeared with a weapon.

Failure to intervene

The Act on Punishment of Crime of Stalking, enacted in 2021 following the murder of a mother and two daughters in Nowon District, northern Seoul, marked the first law in Korea dedicated solely to stalking offenses. It was later revised in 2023. Under the law, stalking is defined as “repeated or continuous” acts such as following a person or waiting near their residence or workplace.

While authorities may recognize the danger, they often stop short of using the strongest available measures.

“The current system focuses on victim protection measures such as smartwatches and increased patrols because of the difficulty in detaining or separating the perpetrator,” said Han Min-kyung, a professor of criminology at the Korean National Police University.

“In high-risk cases, detention may be the most effective way to prevent escalation.”

Provisional measures against stalkers [YUN YOUNG]

Han added that the application of multiple provisional measures indicates that the police had already assessed the case as high risk, citing the Namyangju case.

“In such cases, we need to consider whether stronger preventive steps could have been taken, such as private security, rather than waiting to secure enough evidence for an arrest warrant,” she said.

Police had classified Kim as “high risk” and were reportedly considering seeking an arrest warrant.

Under Article 9 of the stalking punishment act, detention is the strongest provisional measure available. All provisional measures are subject to court approval.

“Measures such as placing victims in protective facilities should also be actively pursued in high-risk situations,” added attorney Chung Bok-reon, who provides legal aid through a program supported by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

Following the Namyangju incident, President Lee Jae Myung on March 14 criticized the police’s “lax handling” of the case and ordered a comprehensive review of all reported stalking cases. He also instructed the authorities to conduct an inspection of the officials responsible for the incident and to take firm action against those found responsible.

A slap on the wrist

Beyond immediate intervention, experts point to a broader structural issue that weak sentencing may limit the law’s deterrent effect.

The antistalking law introduced a range of measures and helped shift public awareness of stalking as a serious crime.

“There has at least been a meaningful change in recognizing stalking as a crime,” said attorney Chung.

Consultations related to stalking surged more than three-fold between 2021 and 2024, reaching 14,533 cases, according to Korea Women’s Hot-Line.

People leave messages near Exit No. 10 of Sindang Station in Jung District, central Seoul, on Sept. 11, 2023, marking one year since the death of a stalking victim at the station. [NEWS1]

“But tools like smartwatches have clear limitations. Stronger punishment is needed to signal real consequences.”

Under current law, stalking offenses are punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won ($20,000). If a weapon is involved, the penalty increases to up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won.

In practice, however, courts often impose lighter penalties.

“Stalking cases frequently involve prior relationships and emotional conflict, which can create gray areas and make courts hesitant to issue severe sentences,” Chung said.

Prof. Han noted that while stalking-related murders result in heavy punishment, standalone stalking offenses are often treated less seriously.

“The law was introduced to prevent more serious crimes,” she said. “But current penalties are not strong enough to achieve that goal.”

According to Supreme Court data submitted to Rep. Park Jie-won of the ruling Democratic Party, only 17.8 percent of individuals indicted for stalking between October 2021 and June 2025 received prison sentences. The rest were fined or given suspended sentences. The proportion declined from 22.7 percent in 2022 to 17.5 percent in 2024.

Arrest rate of stalking suspects [YUN YOUNG]

The share of suspects taken into custody also remains low, declining from 7.09 percent in 2021 to 2.94 percent in 2024, according to National Police Agency data.

“It suggests the criminal justice system may not view stalking with the same level of seriousness as the public,” Han said.

Fears persist

On Monday, the National Assembly’s judiciary committee passed a revision to the law allowing victims or their legal representatives to directly petition the court for protective orders, such as a ban on approaching within 100 meters, within 90 days of being notified by prosecutors or judicial police that provisional measures will not be sought.

The revision also stipulates that those who fail to comply with such orders may face up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on Tuesday also announced it would recruit retired police officers for “aftercare” to support and monitor victims in the second half of the year.

A security officer and Seoul city officials demonstrate a private security service for stalking victims as part of a support program on Sept. 13, 2023. [YONHAP]

However, attorney Chung emphasizes the need for a shift within law enforcement.

“Police play a central role in emergency responses and provisional measures,” she said.

“There needs to be a change in perception so these cases are not dismissed as temporary emotional disputes.”

She added that many victims delay reporting out of fear of retaliation.

“Victims often worry that if they file a complaint, they could face further harm,” Chung said. “Many feel compelled to avoid the perpetrator out of fear. Some endure the situation for a long time before finally coming forward.”

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [[email protected]]