Since June 19, 2013, the courts have been implementing Witness Support Services to protect and assist victim-witnesses in sexual violence cases. These services have now expanded to include child victims of abuse, witnesses in violent crimes, and stalking cases who may face risks of retaliation (known as special witnesses), as well as all other witnesses in criminal proceedings (referred to as general witnesses), and is not limited to victim-witnesses of sexual offenses.

According to the results of a satisfaction survey conducted in 2024, 91.3% of the 515 witnesses who used Witness Support Services at courts of all levels reported being satisfied with the services provided. Additionally, 97.3% of the witnesses believed these services would also be beneficial for other witnesses. Most participants expressed satisfaction with the counseling and guidance offered by Witness Support Officers, as well as the facilities provided in the witness support offices.

The high levels of satisfaction can be attributed to several key factors: first, the clear and detailed guidance from Witness Support Officers, which enhanced the witnesses' understanding of the services; second, the secure and reassuring environment that fostered a sense of stability; and third, the measures implemented to prevent contact with the defendant, which helped to reduce the witnesses' anxiety.

In 2023, only 5% of respondents were aware of the services through media or online searches. By 2024, this figure nearly doubled to 9.1%, highlighting the effectiveness of promotional efforts on the Supreme Court’s website, YouTube, blog, and Instagram.

In 2023, 29% of applicants submitted the ‘Witness Support Procedure Application Form’ after receiving it from the court, and this figure has significantly risen to 37.1%, in 2024. The percentage of applicants who learned about the service independently through internet searches and other means also rose to 18.4%, indicating a strong public demand for witness support services.

In response to the Constitutional Court's ruling declaring Article 30(6) of the former Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes unconstitutional (2018 Heon Ba 524, decided December 23, 2021), the Act has been amended to enhance the protection of minor victims during witness testimony. In light of this, the Supreme Court has produced guidance videos to assist victims during testimony. These videos are posted on the Supreme Court’s official website, YouTube(https://www.youtube.com/@scourtkorea), blog, and Instagram to ensure that child and adolescent victims of sexual crimes can testify in a more comfortable environment and to prevent secondary victimization.

The Supreme Court will continue to enhance the quality of consultation and services by reorganizing training programs to ensure that witness assistance officers and court officials provide friendly and detailed guidance. The court will also explore additional measures to prevent contact between witness and defendants, ensuring that witness feel secure at court, while striving to improve the environment of witness support offices across all levels of courts. Furthermore, the Supreme Court will work to promote witness support services through online platforms for the public and strengthen institutional guidance for relevant agencies, ensuring broader access to these services for citizens.