'Random Kicking' Attack on Woman During Gangnam Commute... Suspect Turns Himself In, Says "Just in a Bad Mood"

Kicked an Unknown Woman and Fled
Claimed "I Assaulted Her Simply Because I Was in a Bad Mood"
Police Investigating on Charges of Bodily Injury

A man in his 30s who assaulted an unknown woman and fled on a street in the middle of Gangnam, Seoul, during the morning commute has turned himself in to the police.

On the 15th, Seoul Suseo Police Station announced that they had booked a man in his 30s, Mr. A, on charges of causing bodily injury and had begun an investigation after he turned himself in the previous morning. Mr. A is accused of kicking a woman from behind as she was walking in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 10th, causing her to fall, and then fleeing the scene.

A man in his 30s, Mr. A, following an unknown woman on a street in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 10th. YTN news footage

According to dashcam footage from the scene, Mr. A, dressed in black, wearing sunglasses, and covering his face with a mask, was seen following a woman who was on the phone. He trailed her for about 50 meters before suddenly kicking her in the calf. After confirming that the woman had fallen, he immediately changed direction and ran away. The assault took place in the heart of Seoul, on a street with several passing vehicles.

Mr. A later turned himself in to the police on the 14th. It is reported that he surrendered after police narrowed their search to his neighborhood. During police questioning, Mr. A reportedly stated that he assaulted the woman simply because he was in a bad mood as he was passing by. It was confirmed that the two did not know each other.

The woman fell to the ground from the shock and was diagnosed with injuries requiring two weeks of recovery. The victim reportedly said, "The hospital told me that if I had been wearing a skirt that exposed my bare skin, my calf could have ruptured," and expressed her fear, saying, "I am terrified because this happened on the street I walk every day to work."

The police believe there were no signs of alcohol or drug use at the time of the incident and are investigating the exact circumstances of the case involving Mr. A.