On May 3, an incident in an apartment in Ulsan—where a man in his 60s killed his ex-wife and then took his own life—shocked the nation. Although authorities had implemented protective measures—the victim had been issued a smartwatch after repeated incidents of domestic violence and stalking, and the perpetrator was fitted with an electronic ankle monitor—those safeguards failed to prevent the tragedy. Warning signs recurred and law enforcement intervened, but officials were unable to fully break the cycle of obsession and violence that can take hold within intimate relationships.
Domestic violence represents a distinct and potentially lethal form of harm, different from ordinary violent crime. It occurs in the home—the place that should be safest—and stems from the intimate relationship between abuser and victim.
Victims face powerful psychological barriers to seeking help: fear of retaliation, economic dependence, child custody concerns, and social attitudes that dismiss abuse as a private family matter. Attempts to sever the relationship can be the most dangerous moments, as shown by this case in which a woman was killed while collecting her belongings after a divorce. This underscores that domestic violence is a grave crime that threatens victims' right to life.
Incheon is not exempt from this national trend. The city ranks among the highest in the country for domestic violence reports per capita.
A high reporting rate can signal strong public awareness and a willingness to seek help from authorities, but it also indicates that many residents face threats to their safety at home. Despite the volume of reports, relatively few cases lead to criminal prosecution or result in victims being fully connected to specialized support services—areas that still require substantial improvement.
In response, Incheon must accelerate the development of a more comprehensive, practical "Incheon-style" victim support system.
Most importantly, authorities need an integrated response that unites fragmented services. Strengthen a regional control tower to provide one-stop support—from the initial report through to independent living—coordinating counseling centers, shelters, police, and legal aid. As the administrative reorganization proceeds this year, ensure safety infrastructure reaches all areas and expand outreach counseling to blind spots with limited physical access.
We must also improve the capacity and quality of existing facilities. Incheon currently lacks sufficient family protection shelters for emergency refuge, and its supply of housing support facilities falls below the national average. Expand shelter capacity and reinforce programs such as dedicated legal-aid attorneys so survivors can prepare for stable, independent living after separation. Coordinate more closely with police to increase monitoring of households at risk, and continually evaluate how protection measures—like smartwatches—operate in practice.
Ending domestic violence goes beyond punishing perpetrators. It requires society as a whole to provide the support survivors need to leave the shadow of abuse and fully rebuild their lives.
The Ulsan tragedy places a heavy responsibility on us all. To close the gaps that persisted despite national and local intervention, Incheon must design more detailed and robust support systems. The city should aim to be a place where no one cries in the space that should be safest—the home.
