Innovative App Aims to Support Stalking Survivors in South Korea

In an effort to combat the rising issue of stalking, South Korea has introduced a groundbreaking app that allows survivors to track the movements of their alleged stalkers in real-time. This technological advancement is designed to empower victims and ensure quicker responses from authorities, enhancing overall safety.

Real-Time Monitoring for Survivors

Since its launch in late June, this app enables stalking survivors to monitor their perpetrators when they come within a 2km radius. As the distance shortens to 1km, notification alerts are automatically sent to both police and probation authorities, who then reach out to the victim. Previously, victims only received basic distance notifications, without any context about the direction of their stalkers. Approximately 400 individuals are currently benefiting from this innovative system.

“Waiting without understanding what’s happening can be incredibly unsettling,” remarks Yoon Hyun-bong, director of the monitoring center. “Having a map to view their location helps victims identify safe spaces and know where to hide.”

The Stalking Crisis in South Korea

The urgency for such measures is underscored by a staggering rise in stalking incidents across the nation. Reports have surged to 44,687 in 2025, tripling since the establishment of specific stalking laws in 2021. Statistics reveal that a significant 80% of the victims are women. Stalking legislation allows authorities to impose electronic monitoring through ankle tags on suspected stalkers.

Tragically, the app’s implementation arose in the wake of several brutal attacks linked to stalking. A notable case involved a man, despite being tagged, allegedly assaulting his former partner after breaking into her vehicle. His trial continues while he claims diminished responsibility, highlighting significant gaps in existing safety measures.

A Day of Alerts

Control centers located in Seoul and Daejeon manage an overwhelming volume of daily alerts—about 19,000—monitoring over 5,000 individuals convicted of serious offenses, including stalking. While many alerts are deemed non-threatening, around 300 serious cases each day prompt immediate responses from probation officers.

Within these centers, staff members vigilantly observe live feeds of alerts, detailing the monitored individuals and their tracking device statuses. However, as demand increases, officials are striving to reduce the number of cases each officer handles.

Mixed Reactions to the New App

The app’s response from survivors has been varied. Anna*, a victim of domestic violence, expressed that having access to such information could have significantly altered her experience. Although she utilized a panic-button watch that alerted authorities to her location, she still felt anxious without awareness of her former partner’s whereabouts.

“Even with that watch, I still lacked peace of mind because I never knew when he might strike,” she explained. “What if I took it off for a moment?”

Experts like Sujeong Kim from the Korean Women’s Hotline highlight the benefits of real-time updates but caution against placing the onus of safety solely on victims. “If authorities performed their duties accurately, there would be no need for individuals to monitor their attackers themselves,” she asserts, indicating a pressing need for systemic change.

Tracking Technology and Its Limitations

It is crucial to note that the app’s functionality hinges on a court’s decision to enforce electronic tagging. In stark contrast, only a modest number of tagging applications were approved despite a high number of stalking apprehensions. The local police assert that tags are requested primarily under circumstances indicating a risk of reoffending.

According to Kang Shin-won from the justice ministry, the tagging serves as a baseline safety measure, as complete protection from potential offenders is not always feasible.

Yoon Hyun-bong emphasized that having real-time information significantly lowers anxiety levels for victims compared to vague distance indications previously offered.

However, Kim warns that these technological advancements must not detract from addressing the root causes of such offenses. “The underlying issue here is gender discrimination,” she claims, stressing that societal attitudes often trivialize these situations as personal problems for victims to navigate independently.

*Name has been changed.