Korean Store Clerk in New York Assaulted by Black Man After Asking to Wear Mask

Customer Assaults Korean Clerk at Korean Store in New York State
One-Sided Assault During Mask-Wearing Dispute

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] An incident occurred in Albany, the capital of New York State, where a Korean-American store employee was assaulted after requesting a customer to wear a mask, prompting the police to launch an investigation.

According to local media on the 18th (local time), on the 12th, Kim, an employee at a Korean-owned beauty supply store, asked a Black man shopping without a mask to wear one in accordance with social distancing rules, but was assaulted. Although New York State has resumed economic activities, masks must be worn inside stores.

According to the store's CCTV footage, the man suddenly punched Kim in the face during an argument and kicked him in the abdomen before leaving the store. Kim collapsed to the floor after the assault.

The man also made racially discriminatory remarks citing COVID-19. While hitting Kim, he reportedly said things like "Go back to your country," according to a New York local broadcast.

In an interview with a local broadcaster, Kim said, "He asked me, 'Where are you from? Because of people like you, I won't wear a mask,' and spat in my face."

The store owner expressed regret over the incident, saying, "Most customers are following social distancing well."

Kim was diagnosed with a possible broken nasal bone after a hospital examination. The police are pursuing the assailant based on CCTV footage installed inside the store. Although New York State has been taking strong measures against racially discriminatory behavior toward Asians since the COVID-19 outbreak, similar incidents continue to occur.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.