"Is There No Other X Besides Saeujeot?" Netizens Boil Over After Sundae Restaurant Owner's Sexual Harassment Story

Criticism from Netizens Saying "X-like Talk" in the Story
Difficult to Punish Unless It Is Sexual Harassment on Communication Media

Netizens are outraged over a story in which a female business owner running a small business was sexually harassed by a male customer. On the 25th, an online community for small business owners called 'Apeunikka Sajangida' (Because It Hurts, I'm a Boss) posted an article titled "Sexual harassment by a customer, I was so dumbfounded I could only laugh." A woman in her mid-30s, identified as A, who runs a Sundae (Korean blood sausage) restaurant, explained the situation: "Late at night, two customers came in and ordered Sundae to go. While packing the sauce, I said, 'I'll include some Saeujeot (salted fermented shrimp),' and one of them looked at me slyly and said, 'Don't you have any other X?'" When A replied, "There is nothing else," another person in the group laughed and said, "Other X?"

When A told the customers, "Sir, that is sexual harassment," the group responded, "I'm embarrassed for you. Go ahead and report this XX." The customer then shamelessly said, "I was talking about Nakjijeot (salted fermented octopus) or Ojingeojeot (salted fermented squid). You're the one with impure thoughts," blaming the group instead. A said, "I was so dumbfounded that I just gave a hollow laugh," and added, "From now on, if this happens again, I will clearly express that it is rude. It feels disgusting."

Netizens who read the story responded with comments such as, "Many older people who do business don't act their age," "They don't realize times have changed and still behave like in the 80s," "You must report it no matter what," and "You should shove a handful of Saeujeot in their mouth to stop their nonsense." One netizen commented, "You should respond by saying, 'You're talking nonsense,' so they never say such things anywhere again."

Meanwhile, according to Article 13 of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, etc., using communication media to deliver words, sounds, writings, pictures, videos, or objects that cause sexual shame or disgust to another person for the purpose of arousing or satisfying one's own or another's sexual desire can be punished by up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won.

However, 'sexual harassment,' which causes discomfort or humiliation to another person through sexual words or actions, is difficult to prosecute criminally under current law unless the harassment is conducted via communication media, due to insufficient evidence. Some voices call for revising the current law, which fails to guarantee the rights of victims of sexual harassment because of these limitations.