[Exclusive] Police Considering Establishment of Dedicated Department for Protecting Victims of Crimes Such as Stalking

Discussion on Unifying Existing Three Functions
Voices of Optimism and Concern Coexist

Jeon Juhwan, the suspect in the 'Sindang Station Stalking Murder' case, is being transferred from Namdaemun Police Station detention center in Jung-gu, Seoul to the prosecution. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] It was confirmed on the 28th that the police are considering establishing a dedicated department to protect victims of crimes such as stalking, which has been brought up again due to the Sindang Station clerk murder case. However, opinions are divided internally, so it is uncertain whether the establishment will actually proceed.

According to a comprehensive investigation by this outlet, the National Police Agency recently held a meeting to discuss unifying the victim protection duties, which are currently divided among three functions: investigation, investigation support, and women and youth. The purpose is to supplement the shortcomings in the police’s victim protection functions revealed in recent violent crimes related to stalking, from the November last year murder case at an officetel in Jung-gu, Seoul, to the recent Sindang Station clerk murder case last month, through the establishment of a dedicated department.

If the dedicated department is established, the police expect that cases of victims being excluded from protection, such as the Sindang Station clerk murder case, will be minimized, and systematic protection from a professional perspective will be possible. It is also seen as a positive factor that the workload of investigators can be reduced. Until now, female and youth investigators have handled not only case investigations but also safety measures. A female and youth investigator at a local police station said, "The number of safety measure applicants is increasing every year, and it takes at least an hour to prepare the related documents," adding, "If this work is reduced, we can focus more on investigations."

Seodaemun-gu, Seoul Police Agency building. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

Concerns have also been raised simultaneously. To create a dedicated department, separate personnel who can replace the existing investigators’ duties are ultimately needed, but large-scale reinforcement or reassignment is realistically difficult at the moment. A police official said, "Since the enforcement of the Stalking Crime Punishment Act in October last year, related reports and requests for personal protection have surged, but the number of personnel in charge is woefully insufficient," adding, "Under the limited personnel structure, reinforcement or reassignment will not be easy."

There are also voices that significant confusion will occur on the front lines. Earlier this year, the National Police Agency transferred the victim protection office from the Audit Office to the National Investigation Headquarters (NIH). If a dedicated department is established again less than a year after this office adjustment, it is said that not only will the reliability of police administration decline, but confusion will only increase.

The legal amendments required to establish a dedicated department are also seen as a burden. Under the current Police Act, protection duties for victims of sexual violence or domestic violence are handled by autonomous police. Protection of victims of crimes such as stalking is defined as a national police duty, but if a dedicated department is established, some form of amendment is inevitable. Another police official pointed out, "The Police Act was already amended once last year with the launch of autonomous police," adding, "If the duties are adjusted to national police, the number of autonomous police personnel will inevitably decrease significantly, and there will be strong opposition as a result."