'Ban-ui-sa Bulbeoljoe Pyeji' Stalking Punishment Strengthening Act Passes Judiciary Committee

Institutional Measures for Victim Protection Criticized as Inadequate
Electronic Ankle Bracelet Attachment Possible Before Verdict
Likely to Pass Plenary Session on the 21st

A bill containing the 'abolition of the crime of non-prosecution by victim's consent,' which allows perpetrators to be punished even if stalking crime victims do not want punishment, has passed the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

On the afternoon of the 20th, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held a plenary meeting and approved the amendment (alternative) to the Stalking Crime Punishment Act containing this provision.

This amendment was prepared amid repeated strong crimes against stalking victims, such as the 'Sindang Station murder case,' even after the Stalking Crime Punishment Act was enforced, with ongoing criticism that institutional measures for victim protection were insufficient. As public opinion formed that supplementary measures were urgent, the legislation rapidly gained momentum.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The amendment also includes provisions defining all acts of transmitting texts, voice, codes, pictures, videos, and images via social network services (SNS) as types of stalking crimes. Acts such as providing, distributing, or posting the other party's personal information or location information to third parties, or impersonating by stealing identity-related information, are also explicitly defined as stalking.

If the court recognizes it as necessary for smooth investigation and trial proceedings or victim protection, measures such as attaching an electronic tracking device (electronic anklet) to the stalking perpetrator can be taken even before the verdict. If the device is arbitrarily removed or damaged, the perpetrator shall be punished by imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won.

The abolition of the crime of non-prosecution by victim's consent for stalking crimes is a campaign pledge of President Yoon Suk-yeol.

On the same day, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee also approved a bill (amendment to the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, etc.) strengthening protective measures such as guaranteeing the right to cross-examination against the opposition of sexual crime victims under 19 years old.

The core of the amendment is that video recordings of statements by sexual crime victims under 19 years old can only be used as evidence if the accused and defendant are guaranteed the opportunity for cross-examination.

The amendment is scheduled to be submitted to the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 21st.

Meanwhile, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee approved a personnel change bill appointing Park Yong-jin and So Byung-chul, members of the same party, to replace independent lawmaker Kim Nam-guk, who left the Democratic Party, and Democratic Party lawmaker Kwon In-sook, who left their positions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.