Stalking reports in Daejeon, Sejong and South Chungcheong rose from 2,299 in 2023 to 3,404 last year, an increase of about 48 percent, while former partners linked to earlier reports were accused in fatal attacks. In Gongju, South Chungcheong, a woman in her 50s was found killed by a former partner after an earlier report was closed without referral because the conduct was deemed minor and she did not want punishment. In Daejeon, a woman in her 40s reported her former partner twice, and police issued emergency measures banning contact and approach before closing the case after she later said she did not want punishment and investigators found the continuity and repetition requirements unmet.
A Women’s Emergency Call 1366 expert said coercive relationships can shape a victim’s stated wishes, while the absence of clear standards for repeated stalking conduct can leave protection gaps even after the non-prosecution-on-request clause was removed.