‘Stalking Beaters’ to Wear Electronic Anklets… Ministry of Justice Announces Legislative Notice for Amendment Proposal

Electronic Ankle Monitor Can Be Attached for Up to 10 Years After Prison Release
Electronic Ankle Monitor Also Required for 5 Years for 'Probation and Parole Releasees'

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The attachment of location-tracking electronic devices (electronic anklets), which was previously only possible for murder, sexual violence, robbery, and crimes involving the abduction of minors, will be expanded to include stalking crimes.

On the 17th, the Ministry of Justice announced a partial amendment to the "Act on the Attachment of Electronic Devices," which includes provisions for attaching location-tracking electronic devices to individuals sentenced to imprisonment for stalking crimes upon the prosecutor's request and court ruling.

Under current law, only offenders who committed the four major crimes (murder, sexual violence, robbery, and abduction of minors) and received a suspended sentence can be subjected to electronic anklet attachment and intensive probation supervision.

Once the amendment is implemented, stalking offenders who have served prison sentences and been released can be fitted with electronic anklets for up to 10 years. Attachment will be possible if the court issues a ruling upon the prosecutor's request for stalking offenders with a high risk of reoffending.

Additionally, if a person receives a suspended sentence or is released on parole for stalking crimes, electronic devices can be attached for up to 5 years by court order. When issuing the attachment order, the court must impose mandatory compliance with "restrictions on approaching the victim, etc."

The Ministry of Justice expects that the amendment will more effectively prevent recidivism by stalking offenders through the establishment of a multifaceted victim protection system using electronic device attachment and approach prohibition orders. If a stalking offender approaches the victim, a real-time alert will be triggered through the location tracking control system, enabling probation officers to intervene promptly and prevent reoffending.

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon stated, "Stalking crimes are offenses where convicted criminals have a high likelihood of reoffending against the same or similar victims, but until now, electronic device attachment was not possible for stalking crimes, which arguably require it the most. Through this amendment, the state will establish a practical measure to protect victims from stalking crimes."