A man in South Korea who assaulted a female convenience store clerk because he suspected she was a feminist due to her short hair has been sentenced to three years in jail. The verdict was issued by the Jinju branch of the Changwon District Court on April 9, finding the defendant, a man in his 20s, guilty of the attack on the clerk and another man, aged in his 50s, who attempted to intervene.
The court’s decision comes amid criticism from activists who argue that the verdict failed to recognize the incident as a hate crime. The accused was arrested in November last year at a store in Jinju, a city in southeastern South Korea, following the assault on the woman, which was motivated by his belief that she held feminist views.
The court in Jinju, located approximately 280 kilometers from Seoul, also mandated the assailant to compensate the shop owner with 2.5 million won (US$1,850) and provide 10 million won (US$7,400) to a customer who sustained injuries while attempting to intervene during the November 2023 incident.
During the assault at the convenience store in Hadae-dong, Jinju City, the perpetrator targeted the clerk based on her short hair, allegedly stating, “Feminists should be beaten up,” as he attacked her. The defendant’s actions were fueled by his intoxicated state, according to police reports, and he confessed to his bias against feminists, expressing chauvinistic views during the assault.
The assault inflicted severe injuries on the female victim, resulting in permanent hearing loss. In contrast, the male victim suffered face and shoulder fractures, leading him to leave his job due to trauma. The attacker used a chair to strike the intervening shopper, causing significant harm.
Although the prosecution had sought a five-year prison sentence, the court opted for a three-year term after considering psychological evaluations indicating the defendant’s unstable mental state during the incident. Following the trial, the victims expressed disappointment at the reduced punishment, highlighting concerns about the leniency shown to the perpetrator.
Also, gender equality organizations criticized the court’s refusal to classify the incident as a hate crime against women. “It is unfortunate that the court did not recognize the attack as a hate crime. If targeting individuals based on hatred towards a particular group is not classified as a hate crime, then what would be?” a coalition of women’s rights groups stated in response to the verdict.
Meanwhile, the Jinju city administration pledged to commend the convenience store customer, who resigned from his job due to the trauma caused by the incident, and assist him in finding new employment opportunities.
Targeting women with short hair is not uncommon in South Korea. During the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, South Korean archer An San faced criticism for her short hairstyle. Despite her remarkable performance, some individuals in South Korea derided her appearance, labeling her a feminist.
In response, many women, including politicians and celebrities, rallied behind An San, posting supportive messages and photos showcasing their short haircuts on social media platforms. Former President Moon Jae-in praised the archer’s achievements and condemned the online backlash, emphasizing the need to challenge stereotypes and discrimination.
The Jinju city administration announced plans to recognize the man who intervened during the assault as a “wounded noble person” under the law, making him eligible for state compensation. This decision came in acknowledgment of his selfless attempt to rescue a citizen during the attack, as reported by The Korea Herald.
