Contacted Again Just Five Days After Release... The Fate of a Stalking Man in His 50s

Sentenced to Five Months in Prison
"Crime Committed During Repeat Offender Period"

A man in his 50s, who was previously punished for damaging the entrance door of an acquaintance's store with a weapon and causing a disturbance, attempted to contact the acquaintance again after being released from prison. As a result, he has been sentenced to five months in prison.

According to Yonhap News on September 7, the Criminal Division 1 of Chuncheon District Court (Presiding Judge Shim Hyungeun) sentenced Mr. A (55), who was indicted for violating the Stalking Punishment Act, to five months in prison, upholding the original verdict. Mr. A is also required to complete 40 hours of a stalking treatment program.

Stalking·Phone Call. Captured from Yonhap News TV

He was brought to trial on charges of stalking for calling his acquaintance, Mr. B (44), who had refused contact, five times between May 25 and June 5 last year, and for attempting to meet B by visiting the restaurant operated by B on June 5, 2024.

Previously, he was sentenced to prison and released after serving time. In May 2023, he was convicted of damaging the entrance door and signboard of B's restaurant with a weapon and unlawfully entering the premises. He was sentenced to prison by the Wonju Branch of Chuncheon District Court and was released on May 20 last year.

Mr. A attempted to contact Mr. B again just five days after his release.

The court of first instance stated, "The nature of the crime is serious, and he committed this offense again during the repeat offender period," and handed down a prison sentence.

Meanwhile, since the implementation of the Stalking Punishment Act, reports of stalking incidents have increased by 74% over the past two years. However, the rate at which courts approve protective measures for victims has decreased each year.

According to data submitted by Assemblywoman Chun Hyunhee, a member of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, to the Ministry of Justice on September 7, there were 13,269 cases filed under the Stalking Punishment Act last year. From January to July this year, 7,981 stalking crime reports were recorded.