Prosecutors' Office Criticized for Passive Victim Protection... "20% of Stalking Response Requests Dismissed"

During the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's parliamentary audit held today (19th), criticism was raised that the Prosecutors' Office is passively responding to victim protection, such as dismissing police applications for stalking victim protection measures or delaying requests for restraining orders.

People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo pointed out to Seo Jung-min, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, saying, "20% of the (stalking response) cases requested by the police are still being dismissed by the Prosecutors' Office," adding, "From January to August of this year, over 3,000 cases were dismissed in this manner."

He also pointed out that the Prosecutors' Office delayed requesting a restraining order in connection with the case involving the murder of a person surnamed Jang and the kidnapping of his wife in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

Lawmaker Joo stated, "The restraining order expired on September 30, but the police reapplied 6 days later, and the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office held onto it for two days before requesting it from the court," adding, "The court then took another 4 days to make a decision."

Regarding the Uijeongbu stalking murder case, he claimed, "The suspect had a record of stalking three times and was even arrested red-handed for violating a restraining order," and "The Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office did not request a restraining order, and 5 days later, the murder took place."

Lawmaker Joo also mentioned the Incheon knife rampage incident and the case of Cho Doo-soon damaging his location-tracking electronic device (electronic anklet), severely rebuking the response of related agencies.

Chief Prosecutor Seo responded, "I completely agree with what the lawmaker said," adding, "I believe our unchanging mission is to safely protect the public from crime."

He further stated, "In particular, we will actively cooperate with investigative agencies on provisional measures, temporary measures, and restraining orders so that there are no shortcomings in victim protection."

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