South Korea to Give Stalking Victims Real-Time Location Data

South Korea will launch a smartphone app allowing stalking victims to view a perpetrator’s real-time location when they are within 600 meters ^[1].

This update addresses a critical gap in victim safety by replacing a system that previously only provided distance information. By offering precise location data, the government aims to reduce the psychological distress and anxiety experienced by victims who are unaware of a stalker's exact movement.

The feature is scheduled to be activated at the end of next month ^[3]. The system operates through the Ministry of Justice’s 24/7 location-tracking central control center, which manages the surveillance of high-risk individuals. Currently, the Ministry of Justice oversees approximately 5,200 individuals under electronic monitoring ^[2].

Under the previous protocol, victims received alerts that a perpetrator was nearby but lacked the specific coordinates to determine the direction or exact proximity of the threat. The transition to real-time mapping is a direct response to complaints from victims who found distance-only alerts insufficient for ensuring their personal security.

The Ministry of Justice continues to utilize honorary protection observers to assist in monitoring and responding to alerts. In a demonstration of the system's responsiveness, actor Yoon Bak, serving as an honorary protection observer, simulated a response to a device tampering alarm, saying that staff must immediately deploy to the scene for verification.

This technological shift integrates electronic ankle bracelets with consumer-facing mobile software. The central control center remains the primary hub for coordinating with law enforcement when perpetrators breach distance restrictions or tamper with their monitoring equipment.