37 Years Old Woman Stabs 3 People On Seoul Subway Train After She Was Called ‘Ajumma’

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According to a police statement released on March 4th, a woman was traveling on a subway train heading to Jukjeon Station in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. While on the train, she was speaking loudly on her phone when a fellow commuter requested her to lower her voice and referred to her as ‘ajumma’, a term used in Korean to refer to middle-aged or married women.

The woman took offense of being called ‘ajumma’ and proceeded to take out a knife and stab nearby passengers, resulting in injuries to two women in their 60s and a man in his 50s. It is worth noting that the term ‘ajumma’ can be used as an insult towards any woman perceived as older.

 The Significance Of “Ajumma”?

The term “ajumma” carries implications that a woman has entered middle age and is no longer considered attractive. Experts have also noted that the term is often associated with behavior patterns that are ridiculed in Korean society, such as being unfeminine, aggressive, and self-centered.

This is not a minor issue, as evidenced by a colonel in the Korean Army being suspended for using the term to refer to his female subordinates. According to The Korea Herald, even a company like Yakult changed the name of its female employees from “Yakult Ajumma” to “Fresh Managers” due to the negative connotations associated with the term. This incident is a reminder that our words have power, and we must be mindful of what we say both offline and online.

One of the victims sustained severe injuries and had to undergo surgery to treat their wounds.

Seoul-based English daily The Korea Herald stated the 37-year-old reportedly injured two other women in their 60s and a man in his 50s with a knife. As of now, there have been no reports of the perpetrator’s arrest. However, the police have filed for an arrest warrant for the woman on charges of “special violence” committed against members of the public.

If convicted, the woman could face up to 10 years in prison. Carrying weapons on public transportation is illegal in South Korea, and special permission from authorities is required for individuals to carry weapons on trains. Despite this, subway police did not pursue charges related to the perpetrator’s possession of a weapon. It is not clear why this charge was not pursued in this case.

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