Over 15,000 Cases of Dating Violence Reported in Gwangju and South Jeolla Over Four Years... Numbers Rise Each Year

Nearly 2,900 Cases Reported by July This Year
Increase in Safety Measures for Victims

In Gwangju and South Jeolla Province, reports of dating violence have surpassed 15,000 cases over the past four years. The number has continued to rise each year, and by the end of July this year, nearly 2,900 cases had already been reported, prompting urgent calls for stronger measures to protect victims.

According to data submitted by the National Police Agency to Assemblywoman Park Junghyun of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Daedeok District, Daejeon) for the National Assembly audit on September 19, the number of dating violence reports in Gwangju increased from 1,132 cases in 2021 to 1,982 in 2022, 2,254 in 2023, and 2,941 last year. In South Jeolla Province, the figures were 1,271, 1,803, 1,750, and 1,758 cases, respectively, over the same period.

By the end of July this year, 1,852 cases had been reported in Gwangju and 1,066 in South Jeolla Province. Although there have been no reports of secondary crimes against victims, the number of safety measures taken by police, such as providing victims with smartwatches, increased to 42 cases in Gwangju and 318 in South Jeolla Province.

Experts point out that active intervention against perpetrators is necessary to protect victims. Lee Yunho, a professor in the Department of Police Administration at Dongguk University, stated, "Regardless of whether the victim wishes to press charges, perpetrators of dating violence must be punished in accordance with their crimes. Rather than simply providing smartwatches to victims, the approach should shift to fitting perpetrators with electronic anklets to completely block their access to victims."

Assemblywoman Park stressed, "Dating violence crimes are rapidly increasing every year. The police must actively recommend and enforce measures so that victims can receive real protection."