"Show me your underwear" Sexual Harassment Man in Daechi-dong Rumors Spread... Multiple Witness Accounts Follow

'Daechidong Sexual Harassment' Unidentified Man Rumors Spread
"Asked for Directions Then Wanted to See Underwear" Witnesses Report
"Followed After Asking Apartment Location" Similar Testimonies
Police "Investigating Similar Cases... Increased Patrols in Area"

[Asia Economy Reporters Seungyun Song, Jeongyun Lee] "He pretended to ask for directions, then suddenly asked to see my underwear..."

Middle school student A recently encountered an unidentified man near a subway station in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu. The man approached A by asking for directions to a nearby apartment. After giving directions and turning away, he began following A, saying things like "Lower your skirt" and "Are you wearing underwear?" A said, "I avoided the spot and called a friend, then he went in another direction," adding, "There was no physical contact or threatening behavior, but I was very scared."

There are eyewitness reports spreading mainly on social media about a suspicious man sexually harassing women passing through Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Online testimonies of similar experiences with this man are increasing. His method of approaching by asking the name of an apartment or following and making sexual remarks is similar. Witnesses describe the man as a typically built male in his 20s to 30s with a clumsy way of speaking.

The police are aware of these reports and are verifying the facts. A police official said, "We have received reports of similar cases in nearby areas and are investigating, while also increasing patrols in the area."

Such sexual harassment in public places is difficult to prosecute criminally. Although there is a possibility of applying the crime of insult, it is practically impossible to prove the victimization by leaving evidence in a sudden situation. At best, charges under the Minor Offenses Act can be applied, but this usually results only in fines. For example, in November last year, A (44), who followed and verbally harassed unfamiliar women near Seoul National University Station, was prosecuted for causing anxiety under the Minor Offenses Act and was fined 100,000 won in the first trial last month. At that time, he was called the so-called ‘call man’ because he pretended to be on the phone while making obscene remarks or swearing at women on the street, causing anxiety among nearby women. In February, a revision to the Sexual Violence Punishment Act to punish so-called ‘cat-calling’ sexual harassment in public places was proposed but has not yet passed the National Assembly.