Discrimination against women can be read in fictional literature; but in real life, women face the unrelenting fear of being targeted no matter where they are. The Gangnam Station Murder, for instance, instilled fear in women in Korea and worldwide alike because of the randomness of the attack.

On May 17, Seong-min Kim lurked in the bathroom of a karaoke bar in Seoul, waiting for a female victim, so that he could vent the frustration he felt towards women. The assailant patiently waited until finally, he heard a woman enter the bathroom by herself. Immediately, he stabbed her multiple times in her chest with a long sashimi knife before he took off leaving her bleeding to death. His mindset is parallel to that of medieval priests who committed “…heinous acts [towards women because they]…were afraid of losing power.”  

Kim was found with the murder weapon in his jacket pocket. He was tried and sentenced to a 30-year prison sentence. His explanation was that he had killed because “women have always ignored [him].” He expected women to be submissively catering to his acknowledgment. This trait can be shown in Othello when Lodovico labels Desdemona as “an obedient lady” after Othello strikes her across the face. Both of these men intently show no remorse for their actions. In fact, after being taken into custody, Kim unremorsefully stated, “I’m calm now. I feel no grudge or feelings towards the victim, and I’m sorry she had to be sacrificed.”  

Seong-min Kim’s schizophrenic condition made him oblivious to his unreasonable act. It was also the reason that he denied his mental diagnosis. His schizophrenia along with his hatred towards women caused him to justify what he did was warranted. This is recognized as the Dunning-Krueger effect in which an individual is unable to recognize their wrongdoings. As was seen in historical literature to modern-day events, we can see how violence against women is perpetual and if we don’t raise awareness, the situation will not alleviate.