South Korean women are outraged over the video since it closely resembles a series of recent cases of sexual violence aimed at women living in one-room apartments. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jul. 29 (Korea Bizwire) — A South Korean parcel service provider is being severely criticized after attempting to exploit the fear faced by women living alone for marketing.
The company posted what looked like CCTV footage of a person wearing a clown mask stealing a parcel delivered to a one-room studio on YouTube.
After the masked burglar leaves the scene, the suspicious studio resident opens the door to look around the area.
The video was soon reported to the police, who found out that the masked man in the video was the head of his own parcel service company trying to advertise his business.
South Korean women are outraged over the video since it closely resembles a series of recent cases of sexual violence aimed at women living in one-room apartments.
The ‘Sillim Rape Attempt Incident’ in May is a classic example of how women living in one-room apartments are being exposed to dangers of various crimes.
The incident involved a man who tried to follow a woman into her apartment.
After a failed attempt, the man stayed in front of the women’s apartment for the next 10 minutes, pushing the numbers on the lock device and turning the door knob to get in.
The man was arrested soon after and was convicted of attempted rape.
South Korean women who live alone are now making individual efforts to protect themselves. For instance, one woman said she writes down her brother’s name as the recipient when using parcel services.
“Most one-room apartments, where many female South Koreans live, are lacking in terms of security,” said Prof. Lee Soo-jeong from Kyonggi University.
“Local authorities and the government should come up with stronger policing measures to protect them.”
Some are calling on the need for stronger punitive measures for stalking women who live alone.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
