The number of murder and attempted murder cases involving stalkers rose to 19 in 2003 from seven the year before, the National Police Agency said in a report released Thursday.
The total includes five stalking-related murders and 14 attempted murders, the NPA said.
Three of the murder victims had asked police for help before they were killed, and the agency said it regrets that police, although they had responded appropriately, could not protect the victims.