In a major step toward protecting women and vulnerable citizens, South Korea is developing a world-first mobile application that will allow stalking victims to track the exact, real-time location of their offenders on a digital map. The Justice Ministry announced the move after approving a landmark amendment to the country’s electronic monitoring law — a reform triggered by rising public anger over violent stalking cases.
The upcoming app will give victims live visibility of an offender’s movements, direction, and proximity — transforming the nation’s approach to personal safety.
Beyond Text Alerts: Victims Will Finally See Where the Danger Is
Until now, victims received only vague SMS alerts stating that the stalker was “nearby,” offering no clarity on how close, from which direction, or how fast the offender was approaching.
This ambiguity, authorities admit, has often prevented victims from making timely decisions or escaping threatening situations.
The new app changes that entirely.
Using a secure interface, victims will be able to view the stalker’s exact location in real time — powered by electronic anklets already worn by court-mandated offenders. This will allow them to:
●Assess immediate danger
●Move safely in the opposite direction
●Share coordinates instantly with police
●Make faster emergency decisions
Officials say the technology will provide “instant situational awareness” during critical moments.
Soon to Sync With 112 Hotline: Police Response Will Become Faster
The government is working to integrate the tracking system with South Korea’s national emergency hotline.
Once live, police will be able to see both the victim’s and the offender’s locations simultaneously, enabling rapid, precise intervention.
Technical integration is expected to be complete sometime next year, according to local reports.
Stalking Crisis Linked to Wider Violence Against Women
Experts say the initiative is long overdue.
South Korea has seen a disturbing rise in gender-based crimes — including stalking, harassment, cyberbullying, and hidden-camera cases. Several brutal incidents, including the 2022 murder of a young woman who repeatedly reported her stalker to authorities, sparked national outrage and demands for reform.
Despite strengthened anti-stalking laws in 2021 and 2023, the threat persists. Government data shows stalking cases nearly doubled, rising from 7,600 in 2022 to more than 13,000 in 2023.
Government: “Tech Must Protect Those at Risk”
The Justice Ministry says modern crime requires modern solutions — and tech-driven safety tools are now essential.
The real-time tracking app is expected to:
●Protect individuals facing ongoing threats
●Act as a deterrent for offenders
●Support faster law enforcement intervention
●Restore public confidence in safety mechanisms
Officials say the technology sends a strong message: offenders will be monitored every second — and victims will not be left helpless.
