Justice Ministry pushes to expand stalking law to cover digital control, pet threats

As killings of romantic partners and spouses continue to expose gaps in victim protection, the Ministry of Justice is pushing a new plan to more quickly separate perpetrators from victims — including blocking offenders from accessing victims' social media accounts to gather information.

The ministry announced Tuesday that an amendment to the Act on Punishment of Stalking Crimes was introduced Oct. 26, according to Yonhap.

The bill adds nine categories of relationship domination and control as forms of stalking: coercing a relationship, tracking a person's location, notifying someone they are being watched, digital control, interfering with a person's social relationships, controlling the use of private information, creating threats or fear, threatening a companion animal, and isolating or cutting off a person from others.

The ministry said it plans to regulate surveillance and control carried out through digital technology to reduce blind spots in victim protection.

Specifically, the bill targets installing or operating location-tracking devices or programs without consent, notifying someone they are being watched, forcing someone to hand over passwords or other information, and accessing a person's social media account without authorization to view or obtain information.

Also covered are acts of harming or threatening harm to the life, body or property of the victim or people close to them such as family members, as well as restricting or cutting off a person's contact with family, friends or colleagues through deception or by exploiting a position of authority.

The bill also classifies harming or threatening a partner's companion animal as an indirect means of creating fear, bringing it within the definition of stalking.

Also newly added as a form of stalking is demanding that a former partner resume a relationship — such as repeatedly asking to "meet again" after a breakup.

The bill further covers spreading or threatening to spread false information or private details about a person at their workplace or school, as well as threatening to disclose private information or personal data learned during a relationship.

Until now, these behaviors were not defined as independent categories of stalking under existing law, meaning authorities had limited grounds to intervene unless physical assault or injury was also involved.

The ministry said that once the amendment takes effect, protective measures such as restraining orders and electronic ankle monitors could be applied before stalking escalates to violence.

Perpetrators who repeatedly engage in such stalking behavior face up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won ($21,700). Violations of the stalking law are prosecutable regardless of whether the victim wishes to press charges.

The ministry formed an interagency task force on dating violence in March, following the Namyangju stalking murder case, bringing together the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the Korean National Police Agency to discuss ways to strengthen the response to stalking.

"We will actively participate in National Assembly deliberations and spare no support to ensure the bill passes during this regular session," a ministry official said. "We will also refine investigative and provisional-measure guidelines so the amended law works effectively on the ground from the moment it takes effect, and strengthen coordination with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and others on victim support."