[단독] 살인 피해 여성 35% ‘친밀관계 폭력’ 피해자

Last July 31st, a 60-year-old man named Kim G. murdered a 50-year-old woman, Kim N., in Gimpo District, Seoul. Five days prior, Kim N. called the police to report harassment, but they dismissed it as "quarreling" and ended the case. Two years ago in June 2023, Kim G. beat Kim N. and inflicted six weeks of injuries, resulting in a jail sentence.

According to recent data, 35.2% of female homicide victims had suffered violent acts from their partners or lovers in the past. This includes domestic violence (20.5%), relationship violence (8.1%), and stalking (5.7%). Male victims accounted for only 9.4% of cases. While the police have distributed an "Comprehensive Manual for Addressing Relationship Violence" and implemented strict investigative measures, these policies are not consistently enforced on the ground.

Out of 14 reported homicide cases last year, only one resulted in the perpetrator being arrested or isolated. Representative Chung Kwan states that despite prior warnings, the lack of effective action demonstrates a serious issue. Experts emphasize the need for improved training and decisive measures to handle high-risk victims, such as installing electronic tracking devices and providing protective measures.

The police have acknowledged this issue and are considering a three-tiered risk classification system for potential offenders. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to ensure effective protection for victims.