The Ministry of Justice of South Korea is working on a mobile application that will allow stalking victims to see on their phones the exact location of their stalker if they are nearby.
How the New System Will Work
Currently, the law only allows for text warnings to be sent to victims stating that the stalker has come too close. However, the victim does not know their precise location. The new application addresses this gap. The stalker’s exact coordinates will be sent to the victim’s phone, enabling them to escape in time.
Tracking is conducted through electronic devices that offenders are required to wear. This data will form the basis for the service’s operation.
The application will be connected to the national emergency hotline. This will allow the victim to quickly call the police if the situation begins to threaten their safety. The service is planned to launch in 2026.
Legislative Changes and an Increase in Stalking Reports
The anti-stalking law has been in effect in the country since 2021. It carries a penalty of up to 3 years in prison and a substantial fine. In 2023, parliament eased the requirements for initiating stalking cases, which immediately reflected in the statistics. According to the Ministry of Justice, the number of complaints increased from 7.6 thousand in 2022 to over 13 thousand in 2024.
The reform was preceded by a high-profile tragedy. In 2022, the country discussed the murder of a young woman who had been stalked for several years by a former colleague. The woman had repeatedly contacted the police, but the man was not detained. The authorities at the time decided that he “did not pose a danger.” This episode became one of the key arguments in favor of strengthening protective measures.
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