Female Victim of Jinju Convenience Store Assault Says "Perpetrator Not Mentally Impaired, Deserves Proper Punishment"

A woman who was assaulted by a customer at a convenience store for having short hair has once again called for a severe punishment for the perpetrator.

In her twenties, Ms. A was beaten by Mr. B, also in his twenties, while working a night shift at a convenience store in Hadae-dong, Jinju, at around 12:11 a.m. on November 4 last year.

It was revealed that Mr. B assaulted Ms. A while making remarks such as, "You must be a feminist because your hair is short," and "Feminists deserve to be beaten." He also took Ms. A's cell phone, put it in the microwave, and destroyed it by turning it on.

Mr. B reportedly also punched and struck with a chair a male customer in his fifties, Mr. C, who tried to intervene.

Busan High Court Changwon Branch.
Photo by Lee Seryung

On the 18th, Ms. A testified as a witness at the second appellate hearing held by the Criminal Division 1 of the Changwon Branch of the Busan High Court.

She stated, "That day, the defendant Mr. B kicked the convenience store door open and entered, dropping items and behaving aggressively. I thought he was drunk and asked him to calm down, but he continued his rough behavior. When I asked him again to stop, he told me to call the police and kicked the counter."

"He snatched the phone I took out to report him, put it in the microwave, and turned it on. Shocked, I left the counter and went toward the microwave, and that's when the assault began," she said.

"There were no other customers that day, and after my phone was taken, I couldn't call for help. I thought I might die," she added.

Ms. A stated that due to Mr. B's assault, she lost hearing in her left ear and continues to suffer from tinnitus, anxiety, digestive problems, tachycardia (abnormally rapid heart rate), and post-traumatic stress disorder.

She emphasized that not only her family and personal relationships but also her financial situation have suffered, as she has been unable to find a new job since losing her previous one.

After the witness examination, when the judge asked if she had anything to say regarding the case, Ms. A read a statement she had prepared.

Ms. A said, "I vividly remember the defendant snatching away the phone I was about to use to call the police, smiling as if to say things wouldn't go my way. This was not due to diminished mental capacity, but a criminal act intended to eliminate my means of reporting."

She continued, "Since the incident, I can't function in society or as a person. Sometimes I think it would have been easier if I had died that day, and I feel guilty that if I hadn't screamed for help, the male customer might not have been harmed."

She added, "Even so, I want to survive and overcome this. I hope the perpetrator receives a just and appropriate punishment so there is no injustice for the victim."

During the witness examination, Mr. B's defense attorney asked, "Are you aware that the defendant has been diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder? One of the main symptoms is aggression."

Ms. A responded, "I don't think attacking me for being a feminist is related to a mental illness."

She said, "Regardless of whether the defendant has a mental illness, he seemed fully capable of making decisions and distinguishing right from wrong at the time of the incident, so I do not believe he was of diminished mental capacity. Furthermore, mental illness and misogyny should be considered separately in sentencing."

When asked, "Would you still want a severe punishment even if the defendant is found to have diminished mental capacity?" she replied, "Yes."

Members of the Women’s Party and women's organizations from the Gyeongnam region who attended the trial are urging strict punishment for the perpetrator in front of the courtroom after the hearing.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

The witness examination was conducted while the defendant was not present in the courtroom.

Mr. B listened to the proceedings via audio equipment from a separate room and was allowed to ask questions through his attorney after both sides finished their examinations.

According to Mr. B's attorney, he left a message saying, "Please convey my sincere apologies to the victim," instead of asking additional questions.

It is understood that Mr. B's side is considering whether to make a deposit for the victim, Ms. A.

Ms. A's attorney stated, "There is no intention to reach a settlement, and even if a deposit is made, there is no intention to accept it."

Previously, the court of first instance sentenced Mr. B to three years in prison, finding that he committed the crime while in a state of diminished mental capacity.

The decision was based on factors such as Mr. B's hospitalization for Bipolar I Disorder in 2022, psychiatric evaluations from the National Forensic Service Hospital under the Ministry of Justice, and clinical psychological assessments from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, all of which suggested that Mr. B was likely in a state of diminished mental capacity at the time.

The prosecution appealed, citing the perpetrator's display of hatred toward a specific group, his assault on a female victim, his violence toward a male victim who tried to intervene, and his use of objects as weapons.

The sentencing hearing for this case is scheduled to be held in the same courtroom at 11 a.m. on August 27.

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