Seoul: A government task force was launched Monday to devise countermeasures against stalking-related murders and incidents of dating violence. The task force was established jointly by the justice ministry, the gender equality ministry, the prosecution, and the police, and it announced 20 measures in four areas: strengthening laws, enhancing interagency collaboration, expanding victim support, and raising awareness of relationship-based violence.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the task force stated that it will improve the effectiveness of restraining orders against potential perpetrators and provide two private bodyguards to protect high-risk victims. The countermeasures will address gaps in laws, systems, and on-the-ground responses highlighted by recent incidents, such as the stalking murder in Namyangju, just east of Seoul, in March.

In the Namyangju case, Kim Hoon, a 44-year-old resident, was arrested in March for stalking and killing his ex-girlfriend while wearing an electronic ankle monitor. The case drew criticism for the authorities' failure to protect the 27-year-old victim, who was wearing a smartwatch as a subject of police protection, while the suspect was under numerous restraining orders.

The task force revealed that an amendment to the Act on Punishment of Crime of Stalking will take effect in April, introducing a victim protection order system. This system will enable stalking victims to directly apply to the court for a protection order.

In addition, a separate system was implemented last month to notify victims of the whereabouts of perpetrators wearing electronic ankle bracelets and to provide court-appointed lawyers to victims of certain violent crimes. Since July 6, the police and the justice ministry have shared information whenever a potential perpetrator wearing an electronic ankle monitor for a sex crime becomes subject to a restraining order in a separate case.

The justice ministry has completed the development of a specialized psychological treatment program to identify risk factors for recidivism in stalking perpetrators. Furthermore, the Korean National Police Agency has introduced a three-level risk classification system to enhance the criteria for isolating perpetrators.