17 Killed in 5 Years Despite Wearing Smartwatches for Protection Against Relationship-Based Crimes

It has been revealed that over the past five years, 17 victims targeted in relationship-based crimes were murdered despite being provided with emergency smartwatches.

According to data on "Status of Murder and Attempted Murder Cases After Smartwatch Issuance" submitted by the Korean National Police Agency to Representative Yang Bu-nam of the Democratic Party of Korea on the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, 17 murder cases were recorded from 2022 through the 12th of this month.

The breakdown shows 5 cases in 2022, 1 case in 2023, 1 case in 2024, 5 cases last year, and 5 cases so far this year.

Attempted murders totaled 10 cases, including 2 in 2022, 4 in 2024, and 4 last year.

The grounds for protection, including overlapping cases, comprised 14 cases of domestic violence, 10 cases of stalking, 8 cases of dating violence, and 1 case of sexual violence.

In a June 2022 case in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, where an offender visited a former romantic partner's residence and fatally stabbed her with a weapon on the stairs of the first-floor common entrance, the victim had been provided with a smartwatch, 112 emergency system registration, and customized patrols, but they failed to prevent the tragedy.

Similarly, in domestic violence murder cases that occurred in Seoul in June 2023 and Ilsan in April of the following year, protective measures had been implemented for the victims, but the perpetrators ignored them and committed the crimes.

The same applies to the murder of a mother-in-law that took place in Namyangju in March of this year, Seongnam in July, Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province in September, and Songpa-gu, Seoul, this month.

Amid a recent series of stalking, dating violence, and domestic violence incidents, the government is seeking ways to improve response systems for relationship-based crimes.

The police are also reviewing measures to elevate penalties and restrictions for domestic violence offenders—such as isolation and restraining orders—to a level comparable to those for stalking crimes.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.