A man in his 20s faces a potential five-year prison sentence for assaulting a convenience store worker, reportedly driven by his belief that her short hair indicated she was a feminist. Prosecutors have sought a lengthy prison term for the assailant, reigniting discussions on gender bias and the perception of feminism in South Korea.
The incident occurred in November last year when the man allegedly kicked and punched the female worker, stating, “Because of your short hair, I assume you are a feminist. As a male chauvinist, I believe feminists deserve punishment,” according to police reports. He also assaulted another customer, in his 50s, who attempted to intervene, questioning why the bystander was not taking his side as a man and accusing the worker of being a feminist.
In the wake of the incident, concerns about misogyny and violence against women with short hair have resurfaced in South Korea. The hairstyle has become a target for misogynistic individuals who associate it with a particular interpretation of feminism and use it as a basis for discriminatory behavior and physical attacks.
The assailant’s claim of mental and physical weakness due to intoxication has drawn skepticism from prosecutors, who argue for a harsh sentence considering the severity of the crime and the enduring trauma experienced by the victim. The final verdict on the case is scheduled for April 9, with many closely watching the outcome as it reflects broader societal attitudes towards gender-based violence and discrimination in South Korea.
The assault on the convenience store worker is not an isolated event but rather indicative of a broader societal issue in South Korea, where women’s choices in hairstyle and clothing are frequently misinterpreted as symbols of feminist ideology, drawing unwarranted criticism and hostility.
The perception of feminism in Korea diverges from that in North America and Europe, with the term frequently associated with the notion of being anti-male, leading to a degradation of public dialogue into a battle between genders.
The association between short hair and feminism gained momentum with the “Cut the Corset” movement in 2018, where women challenged traditional beauty norms by opting for short hairstyles and rejecting makeup.
This movement sparked widespread debate and backlash, shaping the prejudice against those who deviated from conventional beauty standards. As a result, the perception of women with short hair as feminists became deeply ingrained in societal discourse, perpetuating stereotypes and fueling online judgment and criticism.
Kim Dong-jin, head of the Feminist Pedagogy lab, attributes this phenomenon to entrenched gender roles deeply rooted in Korean society. He argues that these roles, dictated by patriarchy, lack scientific or logical basis and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Advocating for societal change, Kim calls for dismantling online communities that propagate such notions, emphasizing the need to reevaluate gender norms to foster a more inclusive and respectful society.
Ahead of the trial’s conclusion on April 9, the Women’s Party convened a press conference, denouncing the assault as a hate crime against women. Emphasizing the assailant’s misogynistic motives and the unprovoked nature of the attack, they urged the court to recognize it as such and deliver appropriate justice with stringent punishment for the perpetrators.
