A Man in His 30s Arrested for Killing Ex-Girlfriend Despite Being Banned from Contact After Stalking Report

Wielded a weapon during an argument with ex-girlfriend's mother
Victim reported stalking three times since July

A man in his 30s, who was reported to the police as a stalking offender and received a restraining order in Gumi-si, Gyeongbuk, murdered his ex-girlfriend.

The Gumi Police Station in Gyeongbuk is currently investigating Mr. A (34) on charges of murder for killing his ex-girlfriend with a weapon on the 8th. Around noon that day, Mr. A allegedly wielded a weapon in the hallway of an apartment in Gumi-si, attacking his ex-girlfriend Ms. B (36) and Ms. B’s mother, resulting in Ms. B’s death.

It was found that Mr. A became enraged during an argument with Ms. B’s mother and swung the weapon. Afterwards, he also attacked Ms. B, who had opened the door and come outside, with the weapon. After the crime, Mr. A himself called the 112 emergency center. Ms. B was transported to the hospital but ultimately died. Ms. B’s mother sustained serious injuries but is reported to be in stable condition.

Gyeongbuk Gumi Police Station Exterior [Image Source=Yonhap News]

Mr. A and Ms. B had been dating for about four months starting earlier this year but their relationship deteriorated. Ms. B reported Mr. A three times for stalking crimes from July to early this month. Since August, Mr. A was summoned by the police and completed a correctional program operated by a specialized counseling agency for stalking offenders five times, once a week. The counseling agency reportedly judged that "Mr. A has the intention to improve and the risk of recurrence is low." Two days before the incident, he also received a provisional court order prohibiting him from approaching within 100 meters of the victim’s residence and from contacting her.

Six days before the incident, the police provided victim Ms. B with stalking victim protection equipment (mini closed-circuit television (CCTV), smart doorbell, door opening sensor) and intensified patrols around her home to enhance safety measures. Ms. B, who worked teaching children, reportedly did not wear a smartwatch.

However, despite these measures, the fact that Ms. B was ultimately killed by the stalking offender has raised questions about the effectiveness of the current system. Experts are voicing the need for more proactive detention investigations, as stalking crimes often escalate into violent crimes. The police have applied for an arrest warrant for Mr. A and are investigating the motive behind the crime.