(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Do-hoon = Commemorative messages and bouquets of flowers are placed behind the participants during a press conference calling for countermeasures against stalking crimes in front of Exit 10 of Sindang Station in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 19th. 2022.9.19 superdoo82@yna.co.kr
(Seoul = Yonhap News) The identity of the suspect in ‘Sindang Station Stalking Murder Case’ was released. The police held a deliberation committee on the 19th and released the personal information of Jeon Joo-hwan (31), who was arrested on charges of murdering a female station worker in her 20s. The deliberation committee said, “We have decided to disclose the name, age, and photo by comprehensively considering the prevention effect of similar crimes such as stalking and the risk of recidivism.” There are growing calls for the judicial management system for suspects of related crimes and protection measures for victims to be significantly strengthened.
Even if a stalking victim reported being stalked to the police while receiving safety measures, the number of cases in which the perpetrator was arrested and investigated was found to be only marginal. According to the data submitted to the National Assembly by the National Police Agency, the number of stalking-related reports received by the police since the Stalking Punishment Act came into effect in October last year reached a total of 22,721. This is higher than the total number of reports (18,809 cases) in the three years before the law came into force. The average number of reports per day has risen from 15 cases per day to over 60 cases since the law came into force. The concern that stalking-related crimes are becoming more prevalent cannot be erased. Moreover, among the cases of re-reports by victims who were receiving personal protection, arrest investigations accounted for only 2.7% of the total number of re-reports. 80% of re-reporting cases were closed on the spot without taking action. A victim’s re-report can be a warning signal that the level of risk, such as retaliation, has increased. It is time to re-examine whether the judicial system is responding and functioning properly.
The suspect was found to have been punished twice in the past for distributing pornography. He had already been sentenced twice. In this case, Jeon also threatened the victim that he would distribute illegally filmed footage and forced them to meet. It can be seen that habitual criminal activity has continued for many years. The victim is known to have complained to the police for fear of retaliation. The first time the victim asked the police for help was in October last year. Chun was arrested for threatening the victim despite the police warning, and an arrest warrant was requested. This case revealed the limitations of not being able to control criminal activity while the judicial process went through police reports, prosecutors, and courts. This is a point where stronger protection measures for stalking victims become more urgent.
Measures to increase the level of preemptive prevention and response are urgently needed. After meeting with Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok on the 19th, Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun announced that he would establish a consultative body with the prosecution to prevent a recurrence of crimes such as stalking and murder at Sindang Station. The police and police council have announced their position that they will communicate closely during the judicial process, including reporting stalking, but prompt and strict action should be taken from the initial stage. It is necessary to develop a system that can accurately detect the risk of retaliatory crime and strengthen protection measures for victims. There is also a strong demand for the deficiencies of the existing stalking punishment law to be significantly improved. In the National Assembly, a bill to amend the Stalking Crime Punishment Act was recently proposed to remove the provision of the punitive offense against stalking so that the perpetrator of stalking can be punished even if the victim does not want it. In addition to emergency control measures for related criminal suspects, there should be no gaps in carefully devising protective measures for victims.
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