South Korean Ex-Boyfriend Turns Stalker, Kills Former Partner in Broad Daylight
A person was lying on the ground surrounded by police officers
On September 3, the Metropolitan Police Department’s International Crime Division sent to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office a suspect, Park Young-jun (30), a South Korean national of unknown occupation and residence, on suspicion of murdering self-employed Ms. Ji-won Ban (40) by slashing her neck with a bladed weapon.
Around 8 a.m., Park appeared from the second floor of the Setagaya Police Station. After casting a brief glance at the assembled press, he kept his head down as he descended the stairs and was placed into a transport vehicle. His expression betrayed no emotion.
The gruesome incident occurred in a quiet residential neighborhood of Setagaya Ward at around 1:30 p.m. on the 1st.
“Ms. Ban visited a studio at around 11 a.m. to attend a brand clothing photo shoot. When she stepped outside for a break, she was attacked by Park. Though she was rushed to the hospital, she was pronounced dead around 3 p.m. Park had arrived at the scene shortly after 8 a.m. that morning, seemingly waiting for the chance to strike. Security cameras had also captured him loitering near the site the day before, suggesting he was scouting the area,” said a national newspaper’s social affairs reporter.
A woman in her 50s who lives nearby described the unsettling atmosphere right after the incident:
“This area is usually very quiet. On the day of the incident, I sensed something was different—an unusual restlessness—so I looked outside. I saw a patrol car stopped, and a person lying on the ground surrounded by three police officers. They seemed to be pressing a towel-like cloth against the person, but I couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman.
At first I thought it was a traffic accident, so I went back inside. But after a while, I heard the sound of multiple helicopters flying overhead, so I looked out again. This time, several patrol cars had gathered, and the roads were blocked off. I saw many detectives, and realized something serious had happened.”
After attempting to flee the scene, Park was found at Haneda Airport about three hours later and taken into custody. He had already booked a ticket for a flight to South Korea.
Ms. Ban and suspect Park reportedly met through a Japanese language learning app in October last year and began dating in April of this year, but trouble arose over a breakup. A social affairs reporter explained:
“Park came to Japan on a short-term stay from August 23 to meet Ms. Ban. In the early hours of the 29th, Ms. Ban went to a police box under the jurisdiction of Mita Police Station and reported, ‘When I told Park I wanted to break up, he became violent.’ Because of his strong possessiveness, Ms. Ban had decided to end the relationship.
The Metropolitan Police evacuated her to an acquaintance’s home, instructed Park not to approach her, and made him write a written pledge stating, ‘I will not approach her. I will not contact her.’ They also urged him to return to South Korea, but since he said, ‘I want to go to Osaka,’ investigators escorted him to Tokyo Station.”
However, later that same evening, a security guard spotted Park near her apartment building. Then on the 30th, he was again seen loitering around her auto-lock apartment complex after breaking inside the premises, prompting the guard to call 110.
“When investigators rushed over, Park explained, ‘I came to check on her because I was worried.’ Authorities considered charging him with unlawful entry, but without sufficient objective evidence, they instead arranged for him to return home via Narita Airport.
On the afternoon of the 30th, Park was made to book a flight ticket from Narita to South Korea, and investigators escorted him as far as the security checkpoint. But he canceled the reservation and remained in Japan. After leaving the airport, Park stayed at a hotel near Tamachi Station, obtained the weapon, scouted the scene, and prepared to murder Ms. Ban,” the reporter said.
It’s hard to react quickly.
Suspect Park’s obsession with Ms. Ban knew no bounds. Against someone so persistently determined to take a life, are there any effective countermeasures? Crime prevention advisor Toshihiko Matsumaru offered his perspective:
“In this case, the danger level had already reached the point where she felt her life was at risk. The basic rule is not to be alone, and if you see the person, run immediately and call the police. If they suddenly appear in front of you, the most important thing is to avoid the first strike. Whether shouting ‘Stop!’ or ‘Help!,’ raising your voice can startle the attacker much like the kiai in kendo. You should also keep in mind that you can use a bag or anything you’re carrying to block an attack.
Pepper spray or a personal alarm can also have a deterrent effect. And for situations where you might not be able to react instantly, wearing stab-resistant clothing could at least help minimize the damage.”
He added that reacting on the spot is very difficult:
“For example, foreigners coming from countries with no earthquakes often don’t know what to do when one strikes in Japan. But if they’ve practiced even once—like protecting their head and hiding under sturdy furniture—they’re much more capable of responding.
It’s the same when being attacked. If you’ve physically practiced what to do even once, your reaction will be completely different. That’s why I recommend attending crime prevention seminars to experience such simulations.”
Even 25 years after the enactment of Japan’s Stalker Regulation Law, there’s no end to cases where breakups escalate into conflict and end in tragedy. Park is currently remaining silent under questioning. Will he ever reveal his one-sided, twisted feelings during interrogation?
Interview and text by： Nakahira Ryo PHOTO： Shinji Hasuo
