I’m a twenty-something S Korean woman. I live alone in a studio apartment in Seoul, with a big window that faces a 10-lane road. Two nights ago, after 1am, a policeman knocked on my door. He said he came to see if I’m the victim.
In a video shot with a professional camera, was a naked woman with a hairstyle similar to mine in a room like mine. It was shot late at night from afar, but both the policeman and I could immediately tell that it was me.
The perpetrator was filming from a rooftop of a six-story building past midnight. I live on the 22nd floor. The building is over 300m away from mine. It seems like someone spotted him outside and called the police.
I just went to the police. Yesterday morning (less than 12 hours after the perpetrator was caught) I called the police, only to find out that the perpetrator had been released (I’m not sure if he had been detained at all). I don’t know anything about the perpetrator.
I do not understand how a perpetrator with such malicious intent could be released immediately. The police told me I wouldn’t be able to get any information about the perpetrator.
Above all, the perpetrator knows what I look like and exactly where I live. I felt unsafe, I told the police over the phone. “So what do you want us to do?” said the policeman who works in a department for women & adolescent cases.
When I told the policeman that I’m afraid to leave the apartment (not to mention staying in), he asked if I have any business outside. I could not believe that was his response.
After the call, I complained to the complaints department. After an apology, they repeatedly said I could ask for a “smart watch” with which I can press a button to call the police. I said I don’t even know what the perpetrator looks like and that would be of no help whatsoever.
Someone told me it’s an apparent “trend” to film women in their homes. S Korean women are subject to illegal filming not only in public places but also in their most private space. This is horrendous, to say the least.
S Korea is a place where women’s privacy isn’t guaranteed even in a high-rise building of over 20 stories.
I was too scared to be alone at home, nor be in that neighborhood. I packed some clothes and moved out to a friend’s place for now. Waiting for a cab, even when it was broad daylight, I was frightened. Everyone who passed by seemed like the perpetrator.
I fear for life. But support & help from my surroundings have emboldened me to speak out. This cannot happen again. I’m not going to stay silent. I’ll keep posting as this unravels.
