Police conduct comprehensive review of 44,540 relationship-violence cases
Police conducted a comprehensive review of 44,540 stalking, dating violence and domestic violence cases and tightened isolation measures against high-risk offenders. During the review period, the daily average number of arrest warrant requests rose more than fourfold compared with the January–September average.
The Korean National Police Agency said Wednesday it had reviewed every relationship-violence case nationwide over a 12-day period from Oct. 19 to Oct. 30, applying a zero-tolerance policy.
The review covered 43,712 cases, including those under active investigation, cases involving monitoring-tier "A" subjects deemed at high risk of reoffending, stalking reports closed at the scene between May 6 and Oct. 13, and cases with ongoing victim safety measures in place. With additional cases received during the review period, the total reached 44,540.
Daily average arrest warrant requests during the review period reached 31.3, up 334 percent from the January–September average of 7.2. Detention requests rose 203 percent, from 13.9 to 42.1 per day, while electronic monitoring device attachment requests climbed 193 percent, from 9.2 to 26.8.
The daily average number of warrants granted and orders issued also increased across all three categories: arrest warrants rose from 3.6 to 6.7 per day, detention orders from 3.8 to 9.7, and electronic monitoring attachments from 3.2 to 8.7.
Police also reviewed 21,614 individuals designated as monitoring-tier "A" subjects based on prior complaint histories. Of those, 176 were found to pose confirmed risks, prompting supplementary measures including 102 pre-indictment investigations, 25 protective orders and 54 victim safety measures.
An additional 6,504 stalking complaints that had been closed without being processed as formal cases were also re-examined. For complaints found to have received inadequate responses, police initiated 83 pre-indictment investigations, four protective orders and four victim safety measures.
Warning signs of serious violence detected, offenders preemptively separated from victims
During the review, police also moved to detain stalking suspects who had armed themselves before approaching victims or had threatened sexual assault.
A suspect who had received an emergency protective order for stalking an acquaintance on Oct. 18 was arrested four days later, on Oct. 22, after approaching the victim while carrying a bladed weapon and work gloves. During a search of the suspect's vehicle following a victim statement, police found the weapon and added charges of preparation for murder. Police arranged private security for the victim and applied for an arrest warrant, which was granted the following day, on Oct. 23.
In another case, a suspect who had received a provisional disposition order on Sept. 13 for stalking a former partner repeatedly showed up at the victim's workplace. The suspect visited the workplace on Oct. 12 and returned on Oct. 19 after sending a message threatening rape. Police, who had been staking out the area near the victim's workplace, arrested the suspect on the spot. An electronic monitoring device attachment order was subsequently issued, and the victim was provided with private security and temporary housing.
A suspect who had received a temporary restraining order on June 27 for domestic violence against a spouse was also detained after continuing to make repeated contact and threatening the victim with a bladed weapon. Police executed a detention order against the suspect on Oct. 23 and, after a risk assessment determined that further isolation was necessary, applied for an arrest warrant, which was granted on Oct. 30.
Victim safety measures were also expanded through risk assessments. The daily average number of private security arrangements rose from 1.2 to 3.6 during the review period compared with the January–September average, while temporary housing referrals increased from 4.2 to 8.6 per day.
Korean National Police Agency Acting Commissioner General Kim Jong-cheol said police would continue to prioritize victim protection in relationship-violence cases, applying strong isolation measures against offenders so that victims can live their daily lives in safety and peace. "We will ensure there are no gaps in victim protection," Kim said.
arin@heraldcorp.com
