Court convicts woman for stalking BTS' Jungkook
A South Korean court has convicted a Brazilian woman for stalking Jungkook, sentencing her to a suspended prison term over repeated visits to the K-pop star’s residence in Seoul.
The Seoul Western District Court found the defendant guilty of violating the Act on Punishment of Crime of Stalking as well as trespassing. She was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years.
According to court records and local media reports, the woman visited Jungkook’s home in Yongsan, Seoul, 22 times between December 7 and December 28 last year. During these visits, she allegedly rang the doorbell, lingered outside the property, and left various items, conduct that prosecutors said caused the singer anxiety and fear.
She was also found to have returned to the residence in January despite being under a restriction barring her from approaching Jungkook or his home within 100 meters. On that occasion, she reportedly left photographs and printed materials at the property.
Investigators said the woman entered the residence after observing a food delivery rider access the building through a side entrance. She allegedly waited outside before following the opportunity to trespass once the rider exited.
In its ruling, the court noted that the defendant continued stalking behavior even after being arrested as a flagrant offender and released following police investigation, despite being issued emergency measures prohibiting contact or approach. The court also referenced Jungkook’s stated position, noting that he “desires severe punishment” for the conduct.
However, the court cited mitigating circumstances, including the assessment that the acts appeared motivated by a desire to express personal feelings rather than intent to cause physical harm, and that there was no entry into the interior living space.
The suspended sentence took into account that the defendant had already been detained for approximately three months and is expected to be deported once the ruling becomes final.
Jungkook has previously spoken publicly about privacy concerns and unauthorized visits to his residence. In a live broadcast, he warned fans against approaching his home, stating that entry into the parking area would result in being unable to leave without his intervention and that surveillance cameras were in place.
The case is part of a series of similar incidents involving attempts to access the singer’s private residence. Previous reports include a Japanese woman in her 50s who was booked for attempted break-in, a Chinese woman in her 30s whose attempted home invasion case resulted in suspended indictment, and a Korean woman in her 40s who was arrested after entering his parking area.
Under South Korean law, stalking is punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won, approximately 19,554 US dollars. If the offense involves the use or possession of a dangerous object, penalties may increase to up to five years in prison or fines of up to 50 million won, about 32,526 US dollars.
