"Killed for Being a Woman": Ninth Anniversary of Gangnam Station Murder Case Marked by Protests Condemning Misogyny

Memorial Rally at Exit 10 of Gangnam Station at 6 p.m. on the 17th
"Tragedies Continue at Sindang Station, Inha University, Sillim Hiking Trail, and More"

On the ninth anniversary of the 'Gangnam Station murder case,' in which a woman was killed by a stranger in a public restroom of a bar building near Gangnam Station, women are once again gathering in front of Exit 10 of Gangnam Station. A protest condemning the 'Miadong Mart knife murder case' is also being held.

On May 17 at around 6 p.m., 92 women's and civic organizations, including the Feminist Solidarity for Gender Violence Resolution, plan to gather in front of Exit 10 of Gangnam Station on Seoul Subway Line 2 to hold a memorial rally titled 'Ninth Anniversary of the Gangnam Station Female Murder Case - Stronger Than Ever.' During the rally, speakers are expected to criticize the ongoing reality of crimes and hate targeting women.

A memorial event marking the 8th anniversary of the Gangnam Station female murder case is being held around Exit 10 of Gangnam Station in Seoul, hosted by the Seoul Women's Association and others. Yonhap News

The rally is being held to commemorate the 'Gangnam Station murder case,' in which, on May 17, 2016, a man in his 30s fatally stabbed a woman in her 20s whom he had never met before in the restroom of a karaoke bar near Gangnam Station in Seoul. At the time, the perpetrator stated, "I have often been ignored by women. I couldn't stand it any longer, so I committed the crime," which sparked a movement condemning 'misogynistic crimes,' particularly among women's groups.

After the incident, Post-it notes and bouquets were placed at Exit 10 of Gangnam Station in memory of the victim, referred to as A. The case became known as the 'Gangnam Station misogynistic murder case,' raising public awareness of crimes against women. It also led to the strengthening of related laws, such as the enactment of the Stalking Punishment Act, and served as a catalyst for active social discussions about women's safety and rights.

Women's organizations are also supporting memorial efforts for the 'Miadong Mart knife murder case,' which occurred in Mia-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul on April 22, regarding it as a 'misogynistic crime.' Kim Sungjin, 32, tore open a knife package on display and attacked a woman in her 60s and a female supermarket employee in her 40s, resulting in the death of the woman in her 60s and serious injuries to the woman in her 40s.

Memorial messages written on Post-it notes by citizens during the 2016 Gangnam Station female murder case. Photo by Asia Economy

The women's and civic organizations hosting the rally pointed out that, despite having consistently raised their voices over the past nine years through movements such as #MeToo and protests against deepfake crimes since the Gangnam Station murder case, women are still exposed to violence and discrimination.

Kim Juhui, head of Nursing Femi, stated at a press conference on May 12 in front of Exit 10 of Gangnam Station, held to announce the start of the 'Ninth Anniversary Memorial Week of the Gangnam Station Female Murder Case,' "Even though the perpetrator testified at the time that he committed the crime because he had often been ignored by women, South Korea still fails to define this incident as a misogynistic crime."

Park Jia, head of the Gender Equality Education Center at the Seoul Women's Association, also emphasized, "Over the past nine years, we have continued to add new 'Gangnam Stations' to mourn, such as Sindang Station, Inha University, the Sillim-dong hiking trail, and a parking lot in Gangseo-gu. That is why we cannot stop our memorials."

During the rally, there are expected to be continued calls for political leaders to address discrimination and violence against women.

Byun Jeonga, secretary-general of the Bucheon New Era Women's Association, said at a previous press conference, "At a time when various forms of violence still threaten women's lives simply because they are women, what is politics doing? Just as we opened the square for impeachment with our own hands, we will once again create a world for ourselves?a world where gender-based violence no longer threatens us."