[2022 National Audit] Commissioner of Police "Increase Criminal Penalties for Violations of Emergency Measures Due to Stalking Crimes"

Yoon Chief "Cooperating with National Investigation Agencies That Responded on Telegram to Solve Digital Sex Crimes"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, announced on the 7th that regarding stalking crimes, which have been controversial since the 'Sindang Station Murder Case,' "If emergency measures are violated, we will promote raising the penalty from just a fine to criminal punishment."

At the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's audit on the same day, lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties repeatedly urged the police to actively respond to stalking crimes. Im Ho-seon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "The number of reports of dating violence is increasing, but the police are complaining about a lack of manpower," adding, "It has been found that sharing information about perpetrators who can protect victims is not being carried out." Lee Man-hee, a member of the People Power Party, also questioned, "There are no effective measures," and asked, "What will the police do if restraining orders and other measures are not observed?"

In response, Commissioner Yoon said, "Violation of provisional measures is punishable by imprisonment of up to two years, which does not meet the requirements for emergency arrest," and added, "If the sentence is adjusted to up to three years, emergency measures will be possible. The Ministry of Justice has also promised this." Furthermore, Commissioner Yoon stated, "In the comprehensive investigation conducted following the Sindang Station incident, about 3,800 cases were examined, and meaningful additional measures were taken in 18 cases." Earlier, on the 19th of last month, he had announced a comprehensive investigation of stalking cases that were under investigation or had been dismissed.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Yoon also pledged to strengthen cooperation with overseas investigative agencies regarding ongoing digital sex crimes. This comes after the 'Nth Room Case,' where sexual exploitation materials were distributed, and the occurrence of a 'Second Nth Room Case,' in which sexual exploitation materials of minors were spread through the online messenger Telegram.

Jo Eun-hee, a member of the People Power Party, pointed out, "It seems that investigations are not being conducted on sites with servers overseas, such as Telegram or Discord. The number of requests for data to overseas law enforcement agencies is only 56, indicating almost no cooperation in investigations with foreign countries." In response, Commissioner Yoon said, "There are certainly difficulties in cooperating with overseas agencies, and no investigative agency worldwide has been able to conduct a forced investigation against Telegram," but added, "There are two rare cases where we received responses from Telegram. We are trying to cooperate with those countries."