Stalking Charges Lead to Revised Arrest Warrant in Andong Incident

In the early hours of May 27, a man broke into an apartment in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, stealing women's underwear in a shocking incident. The suspect, identified as A (37), was initially charged with nighttime trespassing and attempted theft, but the prosecution rejected the arrest warrant due to insufficient evidence and a lack of recidivism risk. However, after discovering that both the victim, B (27), and the suspect lived in the same apartment complex, police re-evaluated the situation and applied additional stalking charges, leading to a renewed request for an arrest warrant.

On June 16, the Andong Police Department announced that they had refiled the arrest warrant for A under the Stalking Punishment Act. This law, which has been in effect since January 12, 2022, allows for protective measures to be taken when there is a risk of stalking reoccurring. These measures include written warnings, prohibitions on approaching the victim within 100 meters, and even detention in a police facility.

The police's decision to apply for detention is notable, as it is one of the strongest measures available before a conviction. They can hold a suspect for up to one month while continuing their investigation. This action comes in light of recent high-profile stalking-related murders, prompting the Ministry of Justice to propose amendments to the stalking law.

Despite the police's efforts, the victim, B, has decided to resign from her job, expressing a desire to return to her hometown in Gyeonggi Province for peace, citing ongoing nightmares and anxiety stemming from the incident. The police have gathered evidence, including fingerprints and video footage, confirming A's entry into the victim's apartment through a window in just 15 seconds, raising serious concerns about the safety of the victim and the community.