Seoul Metro Held Liable in Sindang Station Stalking Murder: Court Reverses Previous Ruling

Breaking the Silence: A Tragic Case That Shook South Korea

Did you know that a single court ruling could redefine workplace safety obligations across an entire nation? The Sindang Station stalking murder case has done exactly that, transforming how South Korean courts view employer responsibility in preventing workplace violence.

On September 14, 2022, a horrific crime unfolded at Sindang Station on Seoul Metro Line 2 that would forever change the discourse around stalking crimes and employer liability in South Korea. Jeon Joo-hwan, a 34-year-old Seoul Transportation Corporation employee, brutally murdered his female colleague in the women's restroom of the subway station. What made this case particularly shocking was not just the violent nature of the crime, but the systematic failures that allowed it to happen.

The victim, a 28-year-old woman who had joined Seoul Metro alongside Jeon in 2018, had been enduring three years of relentless stalking. Jeon had sent her over 350 threatening messages, illegally filmed her, and made her life a living nightmare. Despite being charged with stalking and having his employment suspended, Jeon was able to access the company's internal network multiple times to track the victim's work schedule and location. The murder occurred just one day before his scheduled sentencing for stalking charges.

The Legal Battle: From Denial to Acknowledgment

The victim's family filed a damages lawsuit seeking over 1 billion won (approximately $750,000) against Seoul Transportation Corporation, arguing that the company failed in three critical areas: inadequate supervision of Jeon, failure to block his access to personal information systems, and insufficient protection measures for the victim.

Initially, the Seoul Central District Court sided with Seoul Metro in August 2024, ruling that the company bore no responsibility for the murder. The court characterized Jeon's actions as an 'unprecedentedly rare' crime that fell outside the employer's control. This decision was devastating for the victim's family, who had hoped for acknowledgment of the systemic failures that enabled the tragedy.

However, the appellate court dramatically reversed this decision in July 2025. Seoul High Court's Civil Division 3-3 ruled that Seoul Transportation Corporation must pay 5 million won each to the victim's parents, totaling 10 million won in damages. The court stated that 'the Corporation did not properly handle the victim's personal information' and 'failed to fulfill its duty of care as the employer'. This marked a significant shift in how Korean courts interpret employer liability in stalking cases.

The Perpetrator's Calculated Crime

Understanding the full scope of Jeon's actions reveals the premeditated nature of this crime and why the appellate court found the company liable. Jeon's stalking behavior began in 2019 when he repeatedly asked his colleague to date him, becoming increasingly aggressive when she refused. His harassment escalated to illegal filming, threats of suicide, and eventually threats to distribute intimate footage if she continued to reject him.

When the victim finally reported him to police in October 2021, Jeon was arrested but released without detention. Critically, while he was suspended from his position, he retained access to Seoul Metro's internal computer systems. Between August 2022 and the murder, Jeon accessed the company intranet multiple times to gather information about the victim's work schedule and location.

On the day of the murder, Jeon came prepared with a weapon and disposable hair cap, waiting for over an hour at Sindang Station before following the victim into the women's restroom. The calculated nature of his crime, combined with his use of company systems to facilitate it, became central to the court's finding of corporate liability.

Public Outrage and Community Response

The Sindang Station murder sent shockwaves through Korean society, particularly among women who saw it as yet another failure of the system to protect victims of stalking. The crime occurred in a public subway station bathroom, a space that millions of Korean women use daily, intensifying fears about personal safety.

In the immediate aftermath, Sindang Station became a site of mourning and protest. The walls outside the women's restroom were covered with countless Post-it notes from mourners expressing grief for the victim and anger at the authorities. Young women traveled from across the Seoul metropolitan area to pay their respects and demand justice.

The case drew comparisons to the 2016 Gangnam Station murder, where a woman was killed by a stranger who claimed he was taking revenge against women in general. Many protesters noted that 'nothing has changed since the Gangnam Station murder,' highlighting the persistent threat of gender-based violence in public spaces. The recurring nature of such crimes in subway stations particularly resonated with the public, as these are spaces where millions of people, especially women, must travel daily for work and daily life.

Legal Precedent and Shifting Standards

The appellate court's decision represents a significant evolution in how Korean courts interpret employer liability in stalking cases. The ruling emphasized that employers have a duty to implement 'advance response systems for workplace stalking risks and information management systems'. This marked a departure from the traditional view that employers could only be held liable for directly foreseeable crimes.

Legal experts note that this case reflects a broader trend toward expanded interpretation of 'foreseeability' and 'duty of care' in Korean law. While the first trial court focused on whether the specific act of murder was foreseeable, the appellate court took a more systemic view, examining whether the company had adequate safeguards in place to prevent such crimes.

The timing of this legal shift is significant, coming as South Korea continues to grapple with rising stalking crimes. Police data showed that over 7,000 stalking suspects were apprehended in 2023 alone, indicating that such crimes remain a persistent threat. The Supreme Court has also been expanding the definition of stalking behavior, ruling in 2023 that even seemingly harmless repeated actions can constitute stalking if they create fear and anxiety in victims.

Cultural Impact and Workplace Safety Revolution

For international readers, understanding the cultural context of this case is crucial. South Korea has been experiencing a significant shift in gender relations and workplace dynamics over the past decade. The country's traditional hierarchical workplace culture, combined with historically weak protections for women, created environments where stalking and harassment could flourish unchecked.

The Sindang Station case occurred against the backdrop of South Korea's relatively new anti-stalking law, which only took effect in October 2021. Prior to this law, stalking was merely classified as a misdemeanor punishable by fines of less than $85. The new law increased penalties to up to three years in prison, but critics argued it still provided insufficient protection for victims.

The case also highlighted the intersection of workplace safety and gender-based violence. Seoul Metro's labor union criticized the company for failing to protect female workers, noting that the victim was required to patrol the station alone despite known safety risks. This aspect of the case resonated strongly with Korean women, who increasingly demand safe working environments free from harassment and violence.

Aftermath and Ongoing Legal Implications

Jeon Joo-hwan's legal journey through the courts demonstrates the Korean judicial system's increasingly tough stance on stalking crimes. Initially sentenced to 40 years in prison in February 2023, his sentence was increased to life imprisonment on appeal in July 2023. The Supreme Court upheld this life sentence in October 2023, emphasizing that the murder was 'retaliatory' and 'deliberately planned'.

The victim's family continues to advocate for stronger stalking prevention measures. Through their lawyer, they have stated that upholding Jeon's life sentence 'will deliver a meaningful message to many other victims of stalking crimes'. Their persistence in pursuing the civil case against Seoul Metro, despite the initial defeat, ultimately led to this groundbreaking ruling on employer liability.

Seoul Transportation Corporation is now reviewing the appellate court's decision and considering whether to appeal to the Supreme Court. If the case proceeds to the highest court, it could establish a definitive legal precedent for stalking crimes and workplace safety obligations throughout South Korea. This would make the Sindang Station case not just a tragedy, but a catalyst for fundamental changes in how Korean society protects potential victims of workplace violence.