South Korean lawmaker proposes law to curb stalking and relationship crimes

Data released by the National Police Agency reveals that approximately one in five murder cases in South Korea are preceded by relationship-based crimes, such as stalking, domestic violence, or sexual violence. According to Representative Kim Nam-hee of the Democratic Party, out of 2,760 murder cases recorded between 2023 and September 2024, 543 cases (19.7%) involved prior offenses by the same perpetrator.

In response to these findings and recent high-profile incidents in Jeju and Daejeon, Representative Kim plans to introduce an amendment to the Stalking Punishment Act. The proposed legislation aims to expand the legal definition of stalking to include behaviors of relationship dominance and control. This includes forcing the formation or maintenance of a relationship, installing tracking devices, digital control via information networks, threatening pets, and isolating victims from family or acquaintances.

If passed, the amendment would allow law enforcement to intervene in coercive control behaviors that previously fell outside the scope of stalking laws because they did not involve physical assault or injury.