South Korean Court Fines Woman $2,000 for Pantsing Male Colleague in Workplace

A South Korean woman in her 50s was fined 2.8 million won (about $2,000-$2,500) and ordered to complete eight hours of sexual violence prevention education after pulling down the trousers and underwear of a male colleague in his 20s at a restaurant in Gangwon Province. The court rejected her claim that the act was a joke, emphasizing the sexual humiliation caused, though it considered her lack of prior criminal record and remorse, including an apology to the victim and his parents. The incident has sparked debate in South Korea, where "pantsing" is sometimes seen as a prank but increasingly recognized as a form of bullying and sexual misconduct. Similar cases in South Korea have led to serious consequences, such as the 2019 suspension of Olympic skater Lim Hyo-jun for pulling down a teammate's trousers and police investigations of schoolchildren for similar acts in 2021. The case highlights shifting attitudes toward such behavior, with some viewing the punishment as too harsh and others deeming it appropriate given the humiliating nature of the act. The court's decision reflects a growing intolerance for pantsing as a form of sexual misconduct rather than harmless fun.