Pyeonsaekbang Statement: "Shocked by Employee Assault Incident... The Method of Crime Was Also Brutal"

Arrest of 20s Suspect for Assaulting Employee at Pyeong Bookstore
Pyeong Bookstore States "Terrible Assault Lasted for 8 Minutes"

The Pyeongsan Bookstore Board of Directors has called for a thorough investigation into an incident in which an employee was assaulted at the Pyeongsan Bookstore, operated by former President Moon Jae-in.

On the 10th, the Pyeongsan Bookstore Board issued a statement saying, "On the day Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung visited Pyeongsan Bookstore, where former President Moon Jae-in serves as the bookstore keeper, a brutal assault occurred." They added, "The method of the crime was cruel, and the fact that it was committed brazenly within the security zone of a former president leaves us in shock."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the board, on the 8th, a man in his 20s, identified as A, grabbed the smartphone of a female employee in her 40s, B, who was closing the bookstore door to leave, and smashed it in two while demanding, "Did leader Lee Jae-myung come today?" and "I will not leave before meeting former President Moon Jae-in." Despite several villagers stepping in to stop the violence, the assault continued and only ceased after a crowd of residents gathered. The board pointed out, "A horrific assault filled with murderous intent lasted for a full eight minutes."

Currently, Ms. B has a broken left arm and fractures in her ribs and spine. The fractured arm requires surgery involving an incision and insertion of metal pins, but due to severe swelling, surgery has not yet been possible.

The board expressed concern, stating, "We cannot help but worry that this assault incident coincides entirely with a period of shameless insults directed at the former president and his family under the name of public authority." They added, "Where is the root cause of this violence? We cannot dismiss the possibility that the structure of hatred and hostility fostered by public authority is leading to indiscriminate personal violent attacks."

They continued, "Hatred breeds greater hatred. We demand that all unjust political conspiracies and slanders aimed at former President Moon Jae-in cease immediately." They emphasized, "We hope the police will thoroughly investigate this incident and leave no room for doubt." Furthermore, they added, "Despite this incident, Pyeongsan Bookstore will continue its unwavering efforts to share all profits generated by the bookstore with society and to change the world through books."