Victim in critical condition… Perpetrator is ex-boyfriend

It has been revealed that the perpetrator of a knife attack on a woman in a hospital parking lot in Ulsan during the day is the victim's ex-boyfriend.

The couple had already reported incidents to the police twice after their breakup, and a restraining order had been issued, but the horrific crime could not be prevented.

According to the Ulsan Police Agency on the 29th, a man in his 30s, identified as A, is being investigated on suspicion of attempted murder for stabbing a woman in her 20s multiple times with a knife at a hospital parking lot in Ulsan's Buk-gu around 3:40 PM the previous day. The victim has been transferred to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery but has reportedly not regained consciousness and remains in critical condition.

Assault and stalking following breakup… Police requested level 4 detention

According to police investigations, A assaulted his ex-girlfriend after receiving a breakup notice on the 3rd, pulling her hair in a fit of rage, and also faced charges of property damage for throwing the victim's car keys into the sea on the same day. The victim contacted the police using an emergency alarm at the time, and the police had provided her with a smartwatch due to concerns about secondary damage.

However, less than a week after the incident, on the 9th, A returned to the victim's residence and lingered around, and he also made multiple contact attempts, indicating a continued pattern of stalking.

The police applied for the highest level of restraining order, level 4 detention, based on the combined charges of assault, stalking, and property damage, but the court dismissed it on the 23rd.

The court issued a significantly lower level 3 order (prohibition of written contact and access) compared to the demands of the victim and the police. The court stated, "Reassess the danger," and did not accept the level 4 detention.

Avoided CCTV… 'Sudden attack' while waiting at the hospital

The police had installed intelligent CCTV at the victim's residence and were conducting ongoing monitoring, but A targeted the hospital rather than the victim's residence. He waited in the hospital's above-ground parking lot for the victim to come out and then took out a prepared knife to commit the brutal act.

Currently, the police are further investigating A for the motive and planning behind the crime and are expected to apply for an arrest warrant.

Meanwhile, criticisms are growing regarding the effectiveness of restraining orders and the court’s judgment criteria in this case. Despite evidence of physical assault, property damage, and persistent stalking, a level of 'prohibition of access' rather than detention was imposed, highlighting the urgent need for system improvements.

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