On March 3, days before International Women’s Day, lawmakers and victim support groups held a press conference in the National Assembly urging for a complete revision of the Domestic Violence Punishment Act in South Korea. They emphasized the necessity to eradicate the legal grey areas surrounding intimate relationship violence, including dating violence, which has been inadequately addressed in the current legislative framework. The groups pointed out that bills addressing dating violence have failed to be passed despite being proposed for a decade, highlighting the urgent need for effective legislation to protect victims.

According to Choi Sun-hye, the head of the Korean Women’s Association, shocking data revealed that at least one woman is killed by a male intimate partner every 22 hours in South Korea, with over 100 women dying each year as a result of intimate partner violence. She criticized the government’s response, saying that the current emphasis on addressing individual cases in media is insufficient to prompt substantial safety reforms or preventative measures. The call for legislative change is intensified by hearings and public attention on violent incidents, which often fade away without leading to lasting policy improvements.

Kim Hye-jung, representing the National Association of Sexual Violence Counselling Centers, echoed these sentiments, arguing that victims of intimate relationship violence face multiple forms of abuse simultaneously, including sexual violence, stalking, and financial exploitation. Instead of simply categorizing dating violence alongside stalking, the activists are advocating for a comprehensive approach that addresses all dimensions of intimate partner violence and resets societal perception towards preventing such incidents. The collective stance of these advocacy groups highlights a strategic push for legislative reforms ahead of International Women's Day, aimed at ensuring that the rights and safety of women are prioritized in South Korea's legal system.