Chilling prison letter from stalker sparks outrage in South Korea

A chilling prison letter sent by a convicted stalker to his victim has ignited widespread outrage in South Korea, fueling renewed concerns about the nation's legal protections for stalking victims. The woman, who identified herself as a victim, shared on social media that she received the letter, complete with drawings, while the man was serving a one-year sentence.

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See you soon, I’ll find you

The drawings included flowers and a magpie feather, with a disturbing message at the top: "See you soon, I'll find you," accompanied by a smiling face. The letter also contained unsettling remarks such as, "Feeling sorry can be done only when there is nothing I can do for you." The victim expressed her ongoing fear, noting that the stalker knows her family's business locations and worrying about his potential actions after release.

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Feeling sorry can be done only when there is nothing I can do for you

Despite reporting the incident to the police, she stated that no further action could be taken. Online communities reacted fiercely, criticizing the prison's allowance of such correspondence and its contribution to the victim's distress. South Korea's Act on Punishment of Crime of Stalking can prohibit contact via telecommunications but does not extend to postal mail.

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I did not mean to love you, but I just went to you because you were there

Calls for stricter penalties and improved measures to separate offenders from victims have intensified, especially following a recent case in March where a woman was killed by her alleged stalker despite police protection. Reports of stalking crimes have steadily increased, with over 44,000 cases reported last year, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced legal safeguards.

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I called the police, but there’s nothing else I can do