A 42-year-old man was placed back into detainment on Feb. 6 in Seoul for continuing to stalk his ex-girlfriend after being jailed for harassing her last year.

According to police, the man identified by his surname Moon continued to intimidate the woman by sending improper text messages and threatening to harm her after he was released from prison in July when the appeals court suspended his original term.

The two had begun dating in January last year, but the woman broke off the relationship after four months, saying the suspect showed signs of obsession, police said.

The victim also claimed that upon their breakup, Moon spread malicious rumors regarding her privacy and even attempted to rape her.

Several days after he was released on probation, Moon allegedly began stalking her again.

The woman received messages such as “I’m going to kill you without pain” and “Your family won’t be safe.”

The police said after arresting Moon, “The suspect’s nature of crime is not minor and the victim might suffer additional violence.”

Moon sought a settlement with the victim, but she refused.

A police officer stressed that the “so-called ‘dating violence’ highlights an urgent need to create systems that protect victims and prevent such crimes.”

By Hong Sung-pyo (sphong@heraldcorp.com)