Woman Killed Despite Reporting Stalking Twice

A man in his 40s who strangled his ex-girlfriend to death in Daejeon and fled was arrested by police at a hotel in Gangneung on Friday morning, 18 hours after the incident. Immediately after the crime, the man took a taxi toward Incheon Airport, but changed his route after learning he was wanted by police.

"He has made statements admitting to the charges," said Bae In-ho, head of the violent crimes unit at Daejeon Central Police Station. "We received a report from an acquaintance that the suspect might take his own life at the hotel, and had been staking out the premises after confirming he was in the room."

The woman had previously reported the man for stalking in October last year. At the time, police issued emergency measures No. 1 and No. 2 restricting his access and contact, and provided him with a smartwatch functioning like an electronic ankle bracelet. However, after the woman indicated she did not wish to press charges, the smartwatch was returned, and police closed the case, saying the behavior was difficult to classify as stalking.

Then, in December last year, police were dispatched following another report from the woman, but reportedly closed the case on the spot, finding no significant harm or evidence of wrongdoing.

Police plan to investigate the man's motive and other details before seeking an arrest warrant.