"Elderly Man Harassing KTX Crew, Swings Cane and Uses Abusive Language Over Unnecessary Dispute"

Elderly Man Swings Cane at Passenger
"Treating Adults Like XX" Verbal Abuse Too
Eventually Handed Over to Police

An elderly man swinging a cane and verbally abusing a passenger inside a KTX train has sparked controversy.

According to JTBC's 'Sageon Banjang' on the 30th, passenger A was verbally abused by an elderly man on the evening of the 28th inside a KTX traveling from Busan to Seoul. A saw the elderly man making sexually harassing remarks and actions toward a female crew member and asked a male crew member to "protect the female crew member."

Afterward, the elderly man began talking to A. He reportedly saw the portable battery A had placed on the small table between seats and asked, "What is that?" before recklessly grabbing it. Then, another male passenger sitting between them got angry on A's behalf and returned the portable battery to the elderly man. However, after the helpful male passenger got off the train, the elderly man began insisting that A give him his cellphone.

[Image source=JTBC 'Sageon Banjang' news screen]

When A asked, "Why do you want to touch my cellphone?" the elderly man said, "I've never seen one since I was born. I'm just curious and want to see it once. Just for 10 seconds, 5 seconds." When A repeatedly refused, the elderly man swung his cane and shouted verbal abuse such as "How old the hell are you?", "Do you want to go to the hospital? You're not even human," and "You think adults are XX, damn it". Fortunately, other passengers in the cabin filed complaints and called the police, allowing A to escape the problematic situation.

A said, "The elderly man was handed over to the police. He was not intoxicated at the time," and added, "Judging by his words and actions, I worry he might cause trouble elsewhere as well."

Netizens who read the story responded with various comments such as "You have to be mature to be treated like an adult," "Not everyone who is old is an adult. An elderly man who constantly swears is just a senile person who hasn't outgrown his reckless youth," and "He showed a disgraceful sight instead of setting an example for young people. If you're old, act your age."