"Criticism of 'The Worst Country for Female Office Workers to Live In'"
A man in his 20s who indiscriminately assaulted a convenience store employee because she had short hair and was presumed to be a feminist has been arrested, drawing attention from the British BBC.
BBC Focuses on 'Convenience Store Employee Assault'... Highlights "Low Level of Gender Equality in Korea"
On the 6th (local time), BBC released a report titled "Korean man assaults convenience store employee, thinking she was a feminist." [Image source=BBC homepage capture]
On the 6th (local time), BBC released a report titled "Korean man assaults convenience store employee, thinking she was a feminist."
The BBC report explained, "In Jinju City, southeastern Korea, a CCTV captured a man hitting a female clerk with his hands and feet past midnight."
It continued, "Korean police revealed that the man told the clerk, 'You must be a feminist because your hair is short. I am a male chauvinist, and feminists deserve to be attacked.' The intoxicated man continued the assault until the police arrived at the scene," the report stated.
Regarding the incident, the report added, "Among developed economies, Korea has a low level of gender equality and is considered one of the worst countries for female workers. Recently, anti-feminist sentiment has surged among young men who feel they are victims of reverse discrimination."
BBC placed this article alongside others titled "Why Korean Women Are Reclaiming Short Hair" and "Unexplained Large-Scale Random Knife Attacks Shake Korea." As of 10 a.m. that day, it ranked 7th among BBC's 'most read articles.'
International netizens expressed their reactions on social media (SNS), saying, "This is an absurd and chilling incident," "It is shocking that someone assumed a woman was a feminist just based on her appearance and felt entitled to assault her," "Even if she is a feminist, that does not give you the right to assault her," and "This incident shows that gender-based violence continues. Efforts to promote gender equality and respect for all individuals must continue."
Domestic netizens also expressed dismay. Comments ranged from "This is a national disgrace," "It's shameful and upsetting," to "Hate crimes must never be taken lightly," and "This should be more widely publicized than other incidents."
BBC also mentioned the public criticism against Olympic archery national team member Ansan in connection with this case. Ansan had previously suffered from various rumors spread by some men claiming, "She is a feminist because she has short hair." Foreign media explained, "Despite winning multiple gold medals, Ansan experienced terrible online harassment simply because of her short hair."
Suspect in Jinju City Hadadong 'Convenience Store Employee Assault' Case Arrested
On the 6th, the Jinju Police Station in Gyeongnam announced that a man in his 20s, identified as Mr. A, who was caught on charges of indiscriminately assaulting a convenience store employee he did not know (special injury, property damage, etc.), underwent a suspect interrogation (warrant review) before detention, and the court issued an arrest warrant citing flight risk.
Mr. A is accused of assaulting a 20-something clerk, Ms. B, with fists and feet at around 12:10 a.m. on the 4th at a convenience store in Hadadong, Jinju City. He is also accused of repeatedly assaulting a customer in his 50s who tried to stop the attack.
As a result of Mr. A’s actions, Ms. B suffered sprains, ligament damage, and injuries to her ear area, while the customer who intervened sustained fractures to the shoulder, forehead, and nose areas.
At the time of the crime, Mr. A reportedly said, "Ms. B must be a feminist because her hair is short," and "I am part of a men's solidarity group, and feminists need to be beaten."
The police stated, "Mr. A was intoxicated at the time of the crime," and "He denied some charges, saying he was too drunk to remember."
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