The Cabinet has passed a bill aimed at punishing stalkers with up to five years in prison.

The Justice Ministry on Tuesday said it is pushing to submit the bill to the National Assembly within the year.

In the bill, the ministry defines the act of stalking as continuously or repeatedly approaching, following or blocking a victim against their will; waiting for or watching a victim in and around his or her residence, workplace, school or other living space; or causing a victim anxiety or fear through mail, telephone or IT networks.

At present, stalking is considered a misdemeanor in South Korea and perpetrators are punished with only a fine not exceeding 100-thousand won. 

The new law would punish stalking with up to three years in prison or 30 million won in fines, which is increased to five years or 50 million won if the stalker is armed with a dangerous item such as a knife.