Lee Joohee Introduces 'Intimate Relationship Violence Punishment and Prevention Acts'... 2-km Restraining Orders, Electronic Monitoring

Comprehensive overhaul of domestic violence laws... Covering dating violence and coercive control
Violators of protective measures may be arrested without a warrant... Non-prosecution provisions based on the victim's wishes eliminated

On November 3, Lee Juhee, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, sponsored the Intimate Relationship Violence Punishment Act and the Intimate Relationship Violence Prevention Act. The bills comprehensively regulate violence occurring in intimate relationships, including dating violence, and strengthen monitoring and supervision of perpetrators.

The bills sponsored by Lee would completely revise the current Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Crimes of Domestic Violence and the Act on the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Protection, etc. of Victims. They would expand the scope of coverage beyond existing family relationships to include current or former dating relationships, and define coercive control, such as isolation, surveillance, and economic control, as violence.

Lee Juhee, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily. Photo by Yoon Dongju.

The bills would also expand the area covered by restraining orders against perpetrators to 2 km and allow electronic tracking devices to be attached to them. They would authorize arrests without a warrant for violations of protective measures at every stage, including emergency measures, urgent temporary measures, temporary measures, and victim protection orders, and eliminate the provision barring prosecution when a victim does not wish to press charges.

The scope of victim protection would be expanded to include family members, cohabitants, acquaintances, children, and companion animals. The bills would also strengthen victim support by establishing dedicated investigation and trial divisions and introducing a court-appointed lawyer system.

Lee said, "Until now, victims had to wear smartwatches and alert others to danger themselves, but from now on, the state must monitor perpetrators. We must change the purpose of the law so that it protects victims' safety and human rights in full, rather than prioritizing peace in the home."

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