"Why Are You Here?"... American Man Spits and Shouts Abusive Words at Korean Woman in New York Subway

Hate Crime in Subway at Busy Area of Manhattan, New York

People patrolling to prevent hate crimes against Asians at the New York Chinatown subway station.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] An American man who sprayed an unidentified liquid and made racist verbal attacks against two Korean-American women at a subway station in the bustling area of Manhattan, New York, has been brought to trial.

According to NBC News on the 15th (local time), the Manhattan District Attorney's Office charged Derek Johnson, a New York resident, with third-degree assault and malicious harassment, among other hate crime charges.

Johnson is accused of spraying an unidentified liquid and making discriminatory remarks against Asians toward two Korean-American women entering the Rockefeller Plaza subway station in New York on May 8 this year. Investigations revealed that he also spat on one of the women.

The victim stated that Johnson shouted, "I don't know why you are here," and rushed at them, and when she tried to escape outside the station, he spat on her.

The woman suffered severe bruises on her arms and legs, as well as swelling on her head and chin. Johnson was arrested on the 27th of the same month.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg said, "The subway is very important to our city, and all passengers from diverse backgrounds have the right to travel safely," adding, "The increase in crimes fueled by prejudice is unacceptable."

This is not the first hate crime targeting Asians. In the United States, hate crimes against Asians have been increasing due to the perception that COVID-19 originated in China.

In June, a woman in her 40s was arrested in New York City for spraying tear gas on four Asian women and making racist remarks.

According to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, more than 10,000 hate crimes against Asian and Pacific Islanders occurred from March 19, 2020, to last year, with such crimes increasing by over 300% last year alone.

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