Parliament passes revision allowing stalking victims to directly request restraining order
Published: 01 Apr. 2026, 13:55
Updated: 01 Apr. 2026, 18:25
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The national police logo [YONHAP]
Nearly three weeks after a woman was allegedly killed by her stalker in Namyangju, Gyeonggi, the National Assembly passed a legal revision allowing victims to request restraining orders directly from a court without going through the police or prosecutors.
A revision to the Act on Punishment of Crime of Stalking containing the measure was passed in a plenary session on Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Justice.
Under the revised law, victims can file for a protection order directly with a court within 90 days of an incident, even if investigative agencies do not request a restraining order, in an effort to address gaps in the existing protection framework.
If a perpetrator violates a court-issued order, authorities can impose a penalty of up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won ($13,300).
Similar systems were already in place concerning laws on domestic violence and child abuse, but stalking crimes lacked such a provision.
“The revision will help eliminate blind spots in protecting victims of stalking crimes,” Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho said. “We will make every effort to strengthen victim protection measures so the public can live safely."
BY PARK JONG-SUH [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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