Police to conduct nationwide review of relationship-based crimes after mother-in-law murder

Police announced a nationwide review of relationship-based crimes after a string of violent attacks by former partners and intimate acquaintances. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency plans to examine 8,500 such cases and strengthen any protection measures found to be lacking.

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Go Beom-seok told reporters at a press briefing at the agency's offices in Jongno-gu on Monday that police would conduct a comprehensive nationwide review of relationship-based crimes through the end of October. "The Seoul agency will review all 8,500 cases," he said. "Each precinct chief will lead a thorough examination to ensure no further harm comes to victims of relationship-based crimes."

Go added that the review aimed to identify any gaps in the protection measures assigned to victims and whether officers responsible had missed anything.

Police said the review would also help prevent additional harm. Two rounds of nationwide reviews have already been carried out this year — the first covering 3,902 cases and the second covering 10,999 — identifying a total of 1,381 cases requiring follow-up action, including applications for arrest warrants and electronic monitoring devices.

The recent murder of a mother-in-law in Songpa-gu, Seoul, occurred during a gap in victim protection. A protection order for the suspect's wife, who had a marriage annulment suit pending, expired Sept. 30, but police did not apply to a court for a new order until Oct. 6 — six days later. The crime took place before the court issued a ruling, drawing criticism over the police's slow response.

A decision on whether to publicly identify Kim, 26, who is accused of killing his mother-in-law, was expected Monday afternoon. Police plan to transfer Kim to the prosecution Tuesday morning.