New York Police Promise "Thorough Investigation" into Unprovoked Assault on Korean Diplomat

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] A South Korean diplomat was subjected to a random assault in the middle of Manhattan, New York, USA. Amid speculation that this might be a hate crime targeting Asians, the New York Police Department (NYPD) stated that they are "conducting a swift and thorough investigation."

The New York Consulate General released a statement on the 10th titled "Position of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York Regarding the Assault on a Korean Diplomat," saying, "One diplomat affiliated with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations was attacked and injured by an unidentified man in Manhattan on the evening of the 9th," and added, "We are in close communication with the NYPD regarding this incident."

The New York Consulate General received a statement from the NYPD that a swift and thorough investigation is currently underway. The diplomat was treated at a hospital and discharged, and is now confirmed to be resting peacefully.

According to local media and diplomatic sources, the diplomat, who is in his 50s, was waiting for a taxi near Koreatown in Manhattan around 8:10 p.m. the previous day when he was struck in the face by an unknown man. The assailant appeared without saying anything and fled immediately after the victim showed his diplomatic ID. The suspect has not yet been apprehended.

NBC New York reported that as of that morning, no one had been arrested, and the police had not disclosed any information about the suspect. ABC affiliate WABC-TV quoted the police as saying "there was no reason," indicating that the incident is not currently being investigated as a hate crime. However, if the suspect is arrested, it is expected that the motive may be reclassified as a hate crime during the investigation.

The Korean community was shocked that a random assault targeting even a diplomat occurred in a busy area near Koreatown. Other Asian-origin diplomats residing in New York have also expressed shock. Ron Kim, a Korean-American member of the New York State Assembly, told local media, "Stop the attacks against Asians."

Hate crimes targeting Asians have surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the NYPD, hate crimes against Asians in New York City increased from 28 cases in 2020 to 131 cases last year. Earlier, on the 29th of last month, a 60-year-old Korean man running a grocery store in Brooklyn, New York City, was indiscriminately assaulted by a man demanding free goods.

Meanwhile, crime has been rising overall recently in Manhattan, New York. Eric Adams, the former police officer and current mayor of New York, as well as President Joe Biden, who visited New York this month, have both expressed strong stances on combating crime, but incidents continue to occur, increasing citizens' anxiety. The New York Post reported, citing recent NYPD statistics, that violent crimes have more than doubled compared to a year ago across all police jurisdictions.

On this day as well, two subway-related crimes occurred from early morning to morning, and the police are investigating. A woman on the subway was stabbed by a man and transported to the hospital, while the suspect fled the scene. Additionally, around 10:20 a.m., a man in his 20s attempted to rape a woman on a subway passing through Lower Manhattan. The NYPD immediately released a photo of the fleeing suspect.

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