South Korea has recorded a surge in reports of stalking within a few years of the enactment of tougher laws that were introduced following a high-profile murder case.
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A total of 13,269 stalking cases were reported nationwide in 2024, up from 7,626 in 2022, according to data released on Sunday by the Ministry of Justice. In the first seven months of this year, 7,981 cases were filed, suggesting the total for 2025 could surpass that of last year, figures submitted to lawmakers show.
In October 2021, South Korea enacted the Act on Punishment of Crime of Stalking, replacing previous laws that classified stalking as a misdemeanour punishable only by small fines. Under the Act, stalking carries a penalty of up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won (US$21,600).
Only 406 cases were reported in the final three months of 2021. By the end of 2023, more than 10,400 cases had been filed, as victims felt more confident to report such stalking offences.
In July 2023, the South Korean National Assembly tightened the law again by removing a controversial clause that had allowed offenders to avoid prosecution under certain conditions.
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Despite these changes, the courts have been less willing to grant emergency protective measures to prevent stalkers from approaching victims. These include ordering a suspect not to come within 100 metres of a victim’s home, workplace or school, banning a suspect from making electronic contact targeting a victim, and relocating a victim to a secure facility.