[Breaking] President Lee Criticizes "Incompetent and Complacent Response" After Stalking Victim Murdered Despite Three Reports

President Lee presides over senior aides' meeting on July 31
Lee: "Victim reported stalking three times but was murdered"
"Incompetent and complacent response ignoring victims' pleas"
Urges authorities to establish stronger victim protection measures

Yonhap News Agency

President Lee Jaemyung strongly criticized the recent incident in which a stalking victim was murdered despite having reported the crime, calling it "incompetent and complacent handling." He called on the relevant authorities to "reflect on themselves" and demanded measures to prevent a recurrence.

On July 31, presiding over a senior aides' meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan, President Lee said, "I saw something on the news that was hard to understand," and added, "It is absurd that a person reported stalking three times, but because the necessary measures were not taken, she was ultimately murdered."

He further pointed out, "Even if people do not report or request help, the government should proactively protect citizens' lives. In this case, the victim requested the necessary measures three times, but the authorities failed to understand the situation on the ground and rejected those requests, which ultimately led to her death and murder."

President Lee emphasized, "We must remember that such incompetent and complacent responses, which ignore the desperate pleas of victims even when crimes are fully foreseeable, have repeatedly resulted in horrific tragedies." He continued, "Relevant authorities must accept this with deep remorse, reflect on themselves, and ensure that such incidents never occur again."

President Lee also stated, "It is difficult to properly protect people's daily lives with desk work and armchair discussions," and urged, "Please respond strictly so that similar crimes do not recur in the future. I ask you to promptly work on improving systems that prioritize victim protection above all."

Previously, on July 26 in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, a woman in her 50s who had suffered from stalking was fatally stabbed. She had reported stalking to the police a total of three times this year, but her death was not prevented. Two days later, on July 28 in Ulsan, a woman in her 20s was seriously injured by a knife wielded by a stalking man.

In response, organizations such as Korea Women's Hotline and Korea Women Workers Association held a press conference in front of the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, demanding a "comprehensive countermeasure against violence against women," including stronger punishment for perpetrators. They argued, "The state failed to fulfill its role and could not protect women's lives."