Hate Crimes Plague the US, Now Fear of 'Slapping Asians' Challenge Emerges

Claims Arise on SNS
Assault Targeting Asians on Public Transit
US Police "No Reports of Victims Yet"
"If There Are Actual Victims, Please Report" Urged

A claim has emerged that a "slap challenge" targeting Asians took place in San Francisco, California, prompting the local police to launch an investigation. / Photo by Internet homepage capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Following the mass shooting incident in Georgia, USA, in which several Asian Americans, including Korean Americans, lost their lives, there are now claims that an "Asian slap challenge" is taking place in California, sparking expected controversy. Although the U.S. police have not yet received reports of related victims, they urged anyone affected to report to the authorities without fail.

On the 26th (local time), according to the U.S. media outlet 'KRON4 TV,' the San Francisco Police Department posted a statement on official social media platforms such as Twitter, saying, "We are aware of social media posts claiming that assault incidents targeting Asians have occurred."

According to the post recently uploaded on U.S. online communities, on the 19th, a group of more than five teenagers reportedly slapped Asians on a bus in San Francisco.

The post's author claimed, "'Asian slap challenge' is happening in the Bay Area," adding, "A group of about five teenagers is boarding public transportation and hitting Asians. Please warn your family and friends to be careful."

In response, the police said, "Officers are investigating public transportation in connection with the incident," but also explained, "There is no concrete evidence yet that the 'Asian slap challenge' is actually taking place."

They further urged, "If anyone is an actual victim of assault, please call 911."

A statement posted on official social media (SNS) by the San Francisco Police on the 26th (local time). / Photo by Twitter capture

Meanwhile, in the U.S., a recent mass shooting in Georgia resulted in the deaths of many Korean Americans. Since then, American society's awareness of violence and hate crimes against Asians has been rising.

Earlier, around 5 p.m. on the 16th, Robert Aaron Long (21) opened fire at a massage parlor in northern Atlanta, then proceeded to shoot at two other massage parlors.

The shooting resulted in eight deaths, including four Korean American women. Aaron Long was apprehended by police about three and a half hours after the incident near southern Atlanta.

Following the shooting, street protests calling for an end to anti-Asian hate were held in major U.S. cities such as Atlanta, New York, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco.

Korean American actors and singers active in the U.S. also raised their voices criticizing the discriminatory American society against Asians.

Korean American singer Eric Nam wrote in an article for the U.S. current affairs weekly 'TIME' on the 19th, "Despite a sharp increase in attacks against Asian Pacific Americans over the past 12 months, our calls for help and warning signs have been ignored," lamenting, "It sounds as if this story is about people living on the opposite side of the globe, not neighbors in America."

He added, "The Asian experience is filled with anxiety and identity crises," urging, "Remaining silent now is complicity, so please listen to our story."

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