Gyeongbuk Domestic Violence Reports Rise 15%... Police Move to Prevent "Early-Stage Risks"

7,861 Reports and 1,119 Suspects Arrested from January to August
Protective Measures Provided for 49.2% of Victims
Comprehensive Checks on High-Risk Households Ahead of Chuseok Holiday
Strict Action Against Perpetrators and No Gaps in Protection

Reports of domestic violence in the Gyeongbuk region have increased by 15% this year compared to last year.

According to the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency, there were 7,861 reports of domestic violence in the province between January and August this year, up 15.0% from 6,836 cases during the same period last year.

Nationwide, the increase in domestic violence reports during the same period was 18.9%.

Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency
Photo by Byeonggeon Kwon

The police believe that the strengthened on-site involvement in family disputes and growing awareness among residents, which led to more frequent reporting, have contributed to bringing previously hidden cases to light.

In particular, during holiday periods, when families spend more time together and alcohol consumption increases, there has been a tendency for reports of domestic violence to rise.

During last year’s Chuseok holiday, the average daily number of domestic violence reports in Gyeongbuk was 69.4, higher than the regular daily average of 47 cases.

Upon receiving reports of domestic violence, Gyeongbuk police implement protective measures including investigating the perpetrator, monitoring the victim, connecting victims with shelters, enforcing perpetrator separation or restraining orders, and providing smartwatches for safety.

By August of this year, 1,119 suspects of domestic violence had been apprehended in Gyeongbuk, which represents a 35.3% increase over the same period last year.

The proportion of protective measures for victims, such as temporary orders, in reported cases was 49.2%, which is 14.4 percentage points higher than the national average.

The police also identify and manage households with a high risk of repeat offenses, regardless of the outcome of previous cases.

From January through August this year, police checked on the safety of 1,376 at-risk households a total of 10,654 times, and when additional dangers were found, they implemented safety measures such as providing smartwatches and conducting further investigations.

Ahead of the Chuseok holiday, the police established a plan to strengthen response to relationship-based crimes including domestic violence. This includes a comprehensive check on individuals at risk of repeat offenses. For cases where protective measures are scheduled to end during the holiday, the authorities have taken steps to apply for extensions in advance to prevent any gaps in protection.

Park Heonsu, Commissioner of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency, stated, "Even seemingly minor quarrels within the family can escalate into serious violence, so we assess risk factors from the report stage," adding, "We will respond strictly to high-risk offenders and work closely with related organizations to ensure there are no gaps in victim protection and support."

The police urged the public to call 112 immediately if they witness domestic violence or encounter a dangerous situation.

Domestic violence is a crime that must be assessed for both its recurring nature and potential for concealment, rather than just the number of reported cases. Especially during holidays, when family interactions are more frequent, how quickly warning signs are recognized at the initial reporting stage is crucial to preventing further harm.

The response by Gyeongbuk police also focuses not just on processing cases, but on maintaining ongoing safety checks for households at risk of repeat incidents, separating perpetrators, and providing continuous protection for victims.

Beyond the measures taken after a report, it is vital to establish a robust system that proactively manages risk factors to prevent violence from recurring.

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