13-Year-Old Tourist Beaten in Japan for Speaking Korean

A 13-year-old boy got beaten in Japan just because he conversed in Korean.

The boy, identified by the name Shin, was talking with his mother and sister when a Japanese man, reportedly in his 20’s, approached him and kicked him in the stomach.

The incident happened along a bridge in Osaka’s Dotonbori, where the family was visiting, SBS reported (via allkpop).

Shin was repeatedly hurt and verbally abused by the perpetrator who asked him to fight back.

Shin’s mother was also hit in the arms as she tried to protect him. She was disappointed over the crowd that only watched:

“There were about 20 people around us but none to help. I think our family became victims of a hate crime, similar to the recent wasabi terror in Japanese restaurants.”

The story has slight variations in another report — KBS said there were two perpetrators of the attack that happened on October 5.

On top of Shin’s case and complaints of excessive wasabi served in restaurants, there were also reports of bus tickets with derogatory slangs pointed at Koreans, as well as a subway notice announcing that many foreigners were causing inconveniences.

The South Korean consulate general in Osaka warned compatriots to be extra careful when touring at night.