Archive · 15 Sep 2026
South Korean App Shows Victims Stalkers’ Live Locations
South Korea has created an app to help some stalking victims stay safer.
The app uses information from electronic ankle monitors ordered by courts.
A victim gets an alert when the monitored person comes within two kilometers.
The victim can then see the person’s location and direction on a map.
Police and probation officials are alerted if the person comes within one kilometer of a protected place.
Before this app, victims received only a message saying how far away the person was.
Officials hope the map will help victims decide where to go or hide.
However, the app can help only when a court has ordered the alleged stalker to wear an electronic tag.
A South Korean government app lets stalking victims view a tagged person’s real-time location and route on a map.
Victims receive alerts when the person moves within two kilometers of them.
Police and probation authorities are notified if the person comes within one kilometer of a restricted location.
The app launched in June after rules changed to permit location data to be shared directly with victims, and it has about 400 users.
Officials say the app improves safety, but its reach is limited because courts rarely order electronic tags in stalking cases.
- Who
- South Korean stalking victims, monitored alleged stalkers, police, and probation authorities are involved.
- What
- A government app allows eligible victims to see a monitored person’s live location and movement when they approach.
- When
- The app launched in June this year after electronic-monitoring rules were changed.
- Where
- The app operates in South Korea; one reported stalking killing occurred in Namyangju, northeast of Seoul.
- Why
- The app is intended to give victims more useful warnings and strengthen their protection from stalking.
Supporters’ View
Limitations And Concerns
Safety information
Supporters’ View
Supporters say seeing a person’s direction and route on a map is more useful and reassuring than receiving only a distance alert.
Limitations And Concerns
The app may not provide protection in cases where courts have not ordered the alleged stalker to wear an electronic tag.
Scope of protection
Supporters’ View
Government officials hope the app will strengthen protection for stalking victims and help them decide where to hide.
Limitations And Concerns
Electronic tagging remains relatively rare in South Korean stalking cases, limiting the number of victims who can use the system.
- App users
- About 400 users
- Alert radius
- Two kilometers
- Police notification radius
- One kilometer from a court-ordered restricted location
- Data source
- Court-ordered electronic ankle monitors
- Stalking reports
- 44,687 cases, according to the article
- Reported trend
- Stalking reports have tripled in four years since the 2021 stalking law was introduced
- Victim demographics
- Around 80 percent of stalking victims in South Korea are women