Lee criticizes belated, insufficient response to fatal stalking case | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK By Kim Eun-jung SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Monday criticized law enforcement authorities for their delayed and inadequate response to a recent fatal stalking case, calling for stronger measures to better protect victims of stalking, according to a senior presidential aide. Lee issued the instruction after being briefed on a case in which a man in his 40s stabbed to death a woman he had previously dated while being placed under a restraining order and also under investigation without detention despite repeated stalking. "Responses by related authorities' were late and fell far below public expectations," the president was quoted as saying by Lee Kyu-yeon, presidential secretary for public affairs and communications. Lee Kyu-yeon (L), presidential secretary for public affairs and communications, speaks during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on March 16, 2026. (Yonhap) ejkim@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #stalking crimes Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones (2nd LD) N. Korea holds parliamentary elections prev Lee criticizes belated, insufficient response to fatal stalking case Next Lee criticizes belated, insufficient response to fatal stalking case

## Article Content
Facebook
X
More
Pinterest
Linked in
Tumblr
Reddit
Facebook Messenger
Copy URL
URL is copied.
OK
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Monday criticized law enforcement authorities for their delayed and inadequate response to a recent fatal stalking case, calling for stronger measures to better protect victims of stalking, according to a senior presidential aide.
Lee issued the instruction after being briefed on a case in which a man in his 40s stabbed to death a woman he had previously dated while being placed under a restraining order and also under investigation without detention despite repeated stalking.
"Responses by related authorities' were late and fell far below public expectations," the president was quoted as saying by Lee Kyu-yeon, presidential secretary for public affairs and communications.
Lee expressed condolences to the victim and her bereaved family and ordered an audit of the authorities responsible for handling the case, as well as appropriate disciplinary action if wrongdoing is found, the secretary said.
The president called for measures to more actively separate stalkers from their victims and to swiftly locate suspects in order to better protect victims of stalking crimes. He also urged a review of relevant regulations to strengthen protections for victims, the secretary said.
South Korea's anti-stalking law, which took effect in October 2021, allows for up to three years in prison for offenders, while those who commit stalking while carrying a weapon face a maximum five-year sentence. Previously, stalking had been treated as a misdemeanor.
Lee Kyu-yeon (L), presidential secretary for public affairs and communications, speaks during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on March 16, 2026. (Yonhap)
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
Keywords
#stalking crimes
Articles with issue keywords
Most Liked
(News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats
16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life
BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones
(2nd LD) N. Korea fires ballistic missiles as S. Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills
BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release
Most Saved
16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life
(2nd LD) N. Korea fires ballistic missiles as S. Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills
(LEAD) N. Korea fires projectile as S. Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills
S. Korea, U.S. hold joint river-crossing drills amid N. Korea's missile firing
(2nd LD) N. Korean leader's sister warns of 'terrible consequences' amid S. Korea-U.S. military drills
Most Viewed
All Categories
S. Korea weighs Trump's ship request with careful consideration
(LEAD) N. Korea says conducted firepower strike drill with 600 mm ultra-precision multiple rocket launchers
(LEAD) Trump says trip to China might be delayed, calls on Beijing to help unblock Hormuz Strait: report
(3rd LD) 'KPop Demon Hunters' wins Oscars for best animated feature, original song
Samsung SDI to supply 1.5 tln won worth of ESS batteries to U.S. energy firm
Most Viewed More
Most Viewed Photos
N. Korea holds parliamentary elections
Korean won weakens
Ahead of BTS concert
N. Korea holds parliamentary elections
prev
Lee criticizes belated, insufficient response to fatal stalking case
Next
Lee criticizes belated, insufficient response to fatal stalking case

---

## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- Lee Kyu-yeon (L), presidential secretary for public affairs and communications, speaks during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on March 16, 2026. (Yonhap) ejkim@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #stalking crimes Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones (2nd LD) N.
- Korea holds parliamentary elections prev Lee criticizes belated, insufficient response to fatal stalking case Next Lee criticizes belated, insufficient response to fatal stalking case

### Implications
- Lee Kyu-yeon (L), presidential secretary for public affairs and communications, speaks during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on March 16, 2026. (Yonhap) ejkim@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #stalking crimes Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones (2nd LD) N.
- Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release Most Saved 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (2nd LD) N.
- Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills (LEAD) N.
- Korea weighs Trump's ship request with careful consideration (LEAD) N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, stalking, lee topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 531.