Memorial Atmosphere Arises Over Sindang Station Stalking Murder Case... Bereaved Family Says "Hope It Prevents Recurrence"

Citizens Define 'Misogynistic Crimes'
Criticism Directed at Courts and Police over Rejected Arrest Warrants and Inadequate Protective Measures

On the 14th, a female station attendant was killed by a man in his 30s while patrolling the women's restroom at Sindang Station in Seoul. A memorial space set up at the scene of the incident. / Photo by Gong Byung-sun mydillon@

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] A 'stalking murder' in which a woman station attendant on patrol was killed by a man in his 30s has occurred in the heart of Seoul, sparking a wave of mourning. The bereaved families called it an unbelievable incident and urged measures to prevent recurrence.

On the 15th, the Jungbu Police Station in Seoul arrested A (31), who is suspected of killing the female station attendant, and applied for an arrest warrant at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on the same day. A waited for the victim B for about 1 hour and 10 minutes in front of the women's restroom at Sindang Station in Seoul the day before committing the crime. It is known that A, who was the perpetrator of the stalking case and was undergoing related investigations and trials, harbored resentment against the victim B and planned the crime.

Citizens outraged by the stalking murder case are forming a procession to mourn the victims in front of the women's restroom at Sindang Station. On the afternoon of the same day, citizens placed memorial boards and flowers in front of the crime scene. Park Jae-hyun (34, pseudonym), who came to the site to pay tribute, said, "I hurried home from work because such an absurd incident happened in Korean society," adding, "It is regrettable that this is related to sexual crimes and that ordinary public officials are threatened with their lives while on duty, so I came here."

The 'Backlash Joint Countermeasures Committee' visited the site and stated, "The Sindang Station murder case is a 'misogynistic crime,'" adding, "This is not the first time. Korean society must not become numb to such incidents," delivering a statement of mourning and solidarity. The organization also installed a placard titled '6th Anniversary of the Gangnam Station Murder Case: What Has Changed?' in front of the site. Although the placard was later removed by Sindang Station officials, the station attendants created a separate memorial space in front of the restroom again.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As it was revealed that A had a history of stalking B, public anger toward the court and police is also growing. A was accused by B on October 7 last year of violating the 'Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (filming using cameras, threats using filmed materials, etc.)' and on January 27 this year of violating the 'Act on the Punishment of Stalking Crimes.' The police applied for an arrest warrant for A in October last year, but the Seoul Western District Court dismissed it, stating, "He has a fixed residence and there is no risk of evidence destruction or flight."

Furthermore, after the first accusation, the police registered the victim in the 112 personal protection system and implemented safety measures for a month but did not take additional measures beyond provisional orders, providing a smartwatch, and coordinated patrols. The police explained that if there was a risk at the end of the period, a re-examination would be conducted, but since there were no special incidents during the safety measure period and the victim did not want an extension, the measures were terminated. Lee Hyun-mi (29, pseudonym) said, "If the investigative and judicial authorities had responded more sensitively to stalking crimes, this tragic loss of life could have been prevented," adding, "It seems there is still a long way to go to protect women from hate crimes."

The bereaved families met on the day said the incident that occurred in the heart of Seoul was "unbelievable." B's eldest uncle, C, said, "I can't believe such a thing happened in the middle of a public facility in the capital. She maintained top grades in high school and attended university on a scholarship..." trailing off.

He also shook his head from side to side and said, "Stalking incidents happen almost daily, so Seoul Metro Corporation should establish proper manuals to reduce recurrence," adding, "I hope a social environment where women can walk with peace of mind will be created."