South Korean Court Recognizes Misogyny As Hate Crime

A recent South Korean court ruling has garnered significant attention for recognizing misogyny as a motive for a hate crime. Here’s a summary of the key points:

Landmark Ruling:

An appellate court in South Korea ruled that an assault on a female convenience store clerk, motivated by her short haircut, constituted a misogynistic hate crime.

This is considered a landmark decision, as it’s the first time a South Korean court has explicitly recognized misogyny as a condemnable motive in a criminal case.

The Incident:

The attack occurred in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, in November 2023.

The attacker targeted the female clerk, reportedly because he perceived her short hair as an indication of her being a “feminist.”

He made statements indicating his hatred towards “feminists” during the assault.

The attack also injured a male who tried to intervene.

Court’s Decision:

The court upheld the lower court’s decision to imprison the attacker for three years for aggravated assault, property damage, and obstruction of business.

Importantly, the appellate court emphasized the misogynistic motivation behind the attack.

Reactions:

Women’s advocacy groups have praised the ruling for recognizing misogyny as a hate crime.

However, there’s also been disappointment regarding the court’s consideration of the attacker’s “unstable mental state” as a mitigating factor in sentencing.

Wider Context:

This ruling occurs within the context of ongoing debates about gender equality in South Korea, including discussions about anti-feminist backlash.