The Nightmare That Didn't Stop Even in Prison: 7 Years of Terror from 'Stranger Stalking'

Kwak A-ram, a reporter with 24 years of experience at the Chosun Ilbo, discovered one day that a man in his 50s, whom she had never met, had been posting videos and articles online since 2019 that sexualized her. When Kwak filed a complaint, the perpetrator's retaliation and obsession intensified. He left threatening comments on her articles, and even after being sentenced to prison, he did not stop stalking her. He has been destroying Kwak's daily life for seven years by sending letters containing sexually humiliating text and drawings.
Stalking is often thought to occur within intimate relationships, such as between former partners. However, the case of reporter Kwak illustrates the dangers of so-called "stranger stalking," where an unknown person becomes unilaterally obsessed with a target. According to Kwak, the perpetrator stated in court that he learned about her through news articles and podcasts. Her professional activities, which required public exposure, were exploited as a means for stalking by someone she had never even seen in person. Experts warn that in a digital society where personal information can be easily collected through social media and online searches, anyone can become a target of stranger stalking. Reporter Kwak A-ram had to constantly explain the fear she felt to investigative agencies and the court. Stalking survivors and bereaved families interviewed by our reporting team also say that investigative agencies failed to prevent harm because they did not recognize repeated warning signs in time. One victim, who was attacked by a former partner with blunt objects and weapons while experiencing stalking, revealed that the moment the perpetrator was sentenced to 15 years in prison, it felt like her remaining life had entered a "countdown." This was due to the fear that the perpetrator might come looking for her again after finishing his prison term.
Victims and their families point out that sentencing decisions do not sufficiently reflect the severity of the harm. A study analyzing 141 stalking rulings showed that it is unlikely for a prison sentence to be handed down if the perpetrator has no prior criminal record. The families appeal that rather than focusing on the frequency of stalking or the perpetrator's age and environment, the fear left on the victim by repeated stalking and the danger of the crime should be weighed more heavily. The family of a victim in the Busan officetel murder case says it was difficult to verify the perpetrator's claims in a timely manner during the trial process. They were unable to fully access the materials submitted by the perpetrator's side, and the materials they checked later contained claims suggesting that the deceased victim was actually the one obsessed with the perpetrator. In a situation where the victim could not refute these claims directly, the surviving family members had to explain the circumstances of the incident and the victim's position on her behalf.
For reporter Kwak A-ram, who has been pursuing legal action for years, the anxiety has not ended. While prison sentences have been confirmed for the perpetrator in several cases, a recent first-instance ruling sentenced him to three years in prison and ordered the attachment of an electronic tracking device for three years after his release. However, no one can guarantee that the perpetrator's long-standing obsession will stop even after his prison term ends and the electronic monitoring period expires.
How can we capture the repeated warning signs before stalking leads to more serious crimes? What systems are needed to effectively protect victims from re-approach by perpetrators after their release?

This week, SBS 'News Story' tracks the reality of stranger stalking, where anyone can become a victim in a digital society, and sheds light on the blind spots in victim protection that span from initial investigations and trials to the period after a perpetrator's release.

※ This program was produced to raise awareness about the severity of stalking crimes and may contain some disturbing content; viewer discretion is advised.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.