{
  "id": 17187122,
  "title": "Fearing stalkers and violent exes, Korean women are hiring their own bodyguards",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/fearing-stalkers-and-violent-exes-korean-women-are-hiring-their-own-17187122",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T06:22:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/law-crime/20261030/fearing-stalkers-and-violent-exes-korean-women-are-hiring-their-own-bodyguards"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In South Korea, an increasing number of women are turning to private bodyguards for protection against stalking and violent ex-partners. These women are paying out-of-pocket for the service due to concerns that official measures, such as emergency smartwatches and restraining orders, may not be sufficient to keep attackers at bay. The government does provide private security services for crime victims, but the funding does not keep up with the growing demand.\n\nA 29-year-old woman, referred to as \"A\" in media reports, is one such victim who hired a bodyguard for four days in mid-October. Her decision came after her former boyfriend, identified as \"B,\" was about to be released from prison. B had served six months for fraud-related offenses, including taking out loans in A's name. A's fears proved justified when B showed up at her apartment complex on the second day of her bodyguard's assignment. The bodyguard intervened, warning B not to return and escorting him away.\n\nA recounted her experience, saying, \"When my ex-boyfriend showed up, I was so scared that I cried.\"",
  "summary": "After a series of women in Korea were killed after experiencing stalking, assault and threats from former partners or husbands, some potential victims are turning to private bodyguards to protect themselves. They are paying substantial sums out of pocket amid concerns that public protection measures, including emergency smartwatches and restraining orders, may not be enough to keep an attacker…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}