Police data finds that small proportion of suspects in stalking, domestic violence cases are detained
Published: 07 Apr. 2026, 17:50
Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI
![The personal information of Kim Hoon, who was arrested on charges of stalking and killing his ex-girlfriend in Namyang-ju, Gyeonggi, on March 14, as disclosed by the police following a review by an internal committee [NEWS1]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/07/a678a438-82e1-4736-84f0-dce9cec63827.jpg)
The personal information of Kim Hoon, who was arrested on charges of stalking and killing his ex-girlfriend in Namyang-ju, Gyeonggi, on March 14, as disclosed by the police following a review by an internal committee [NEWS1]
Only a small proportion of suspects in stalking and domestic violence cases are being detained despite increased measures to curb such crimes, according to recent police data.
The National Police Agency conducted a comprehensive review of more than 22,000 crimes involving stalking and domestic violence after a man wearing an electronic ankle monitor stalked and killed his ex-girlfriend in Namyangju, Gyeonggi, on March 14.
Of the 22,388 cases examined, offenders in 1,626 cases were classified as high-risk.
Police had applied for arrest warrants in 389 cases, requested detention in 460 and sought court orders requiring suspects to wear electronic ankle monitors in 317.
However, only 35.7 percent of arrest warrants sought by police were issued, and detention and electronic monitoring orders were approved in 26.5 percent and 35.8 percent of cases, respectively.
Concerns have also emerged regarding the enforcement of court-ordered punishments. Some stalking suspects have disabled their electronic ankle monitors and gone into hiding.
In one case, a suspect who cut power to his device was apprehended after a two-day search.
![A file photo of an ankle monitor [AP/YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/07/aef13983-d218-4374-ab9b-97d6da7aabcb.jpg)
A file photo of an ankle monitor [AP/YONHAP]
Police said they have expanded victim protection measures, including funding private security and installing CCTV systems for high-risk victims. Still, critics say those steps fall short of preventing crimes before they occur.
An internal audit at the Korean National Police Agency also uncovered shortcomings in the handling of the Namyangju case. The agency said it has referred 16 officials to a disciplinary committee and requested investigations into two others.
Going forward, the police plan to strengthen information-sharing with the Ministry of Justice to better monitor individuals subject to electronic tracking and restraining orders.
Officials added that they will continue consultations with prosecutors and courts to raise the rate at which arrest warrants are granted.
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 JEONG JAE-HONG [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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