South Korea to Launch Real-Time Tracking System for Stalking Offenders

South Korea's National Police Agency and Ministry of Justice are collaborating to create a new integrated platform designed to provide police with real-time location data on individuals fitted with electronic ankle monitors for stalking offenses. This initiative, slated for completion by December, aims to significantly reduce response times and enhance victim protection.

Since the introduction of electronic monitoring for stalkers in January 2024, the Justice Ministry has managed the GPS-enabled devices and relayed alerts to the police. However, the independent operation of the Justice Ministry's tracking system and the police's emergency response system has created delays. Currently, monitoring centers must send offender and victim locations via text message when violations occur, hindering officers' ability to track movements in real time during incidents.

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The new system is expected to significantly strengthen victim protection by allowing officers in the field to view offenders’ movements at a glance while responding to incidents.

To overcome these limitations, the two agencies will invest approximately 4.2 billion won (US$3 million) to build a unified platform. Once operational, alerts from the Justice Ministry's monitoring center will automatically feed into the police's emergency dispatch system. This direct link will allow responding officers to view offenders' movements at a glance, enabling quicker and more effective interventions. "The new system is expected to significantly strengthen victim protection by allowing officers in the field to view offenders’ movements at a glance while responding to incidents," stated Yoo Jae-seong, acting commissioner general of police. Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho emphasized the ministry's commitment to continued cooperation with the police for proactive victim protection and rapid on-site responses.

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the ministry will continue to strengthen its close cooperation with police.