'Second Sindang Station Murder Case' Prevention Stalking Prevention Act to Take Effect on the 18th

Police Accelerate Preparations for Victim Support System Training for On-Site Staff

A separate enactment law establishing a protection system for stalking crime victims will come into effect on the 18th. This is a follow-up measure to protect victims from problems such as stalking perpetrators attempting to silence victims to avoid punishment or committing retaliatory crimes after reporting.

The "Act on the Prevention of Stalking and Protection of Victims," commonly known as the Stalking Prevention Act, was enacted in January this year to prevent stalking crimes that are highly likely to lead to serious crimes such as murder or assault, as in the Sindang Station incident, and to protect victims.

The 'Sindang Station Attendant Stalking Murder Case' that occurred in September last year revealed the shortcomings of the victim protection system without any filter and highlighted the need for manuals to prevent secondary victimization and protect victims. Subsequently, the Stalking Prevention Act was approved at the 440th National Assembly Bill Review Subcommittee and the plenary session in November of the same year, passed through the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in December, and unanimously approved at the 401st National Assembly plenary session.

According to the law, judicial police officers must promptly respond to the reported scene upon receiving a stalking report and take necessary measures such as investigating in a place separated from the stalking perpetrator so that victims, reporters, and witnesses can freely testify. A fine of up to 10 million KRW will be imposed if the performance of duties is obstructed, such as refusing on-site investigation by judicial police officers.

The head of the investigative agency is required to conduct mandatory stalking prevention education for personnel related to the case, including those in charge. In addition, the head of victim support facilities may request police station chiefs to accompany support when emergency protection for victims is necessary.

Accordingly, the National Police Agency plans to establish and implement stalking prevention education plans for each station and organize stalking prevention education content being produced by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family into cyber workplace training.

Furthermore, training on victim support systems will be provided to on-site police officers to ensure that stalking victims can be connected to protection systems and support facilities under the Stalking Prevention Act.