Attack on South Korean live-streamer in France sparks outrage, police investigation
Content creator Jinnytty was verbally abused while filming her walk around Toulouse, reigniting debate on anti-Asian racism and safety
French police have launched an investigation after a South Korean woman was attacked by a local man while live-streaming in southern France, in an incident which has reignited debate on anti-Asian racism and sexism in Europe as well as the safety of live-streamers worldwide.
Yoo Yoon-jinn, a content creator who goes by the online name of Jinnytty and has more than 1.1 million subscribers, was live-streaming her walk around Toulouse on May 7 when a man on an electric scooter pulled up behind her.
In the viral video, the man can be seen running up to her without warning, slapping away her camera and shouting: “What are you filming? You dirty Chinese woman. Get lost, you filthy whore.”
He then flees the scene, leaving a visibly shaken Yoo behind. “What just happened?” she says to the camera. “He’s not a thief, he’s just a crazy guy. I wasn’t filming him, I was filming my own face. This is a public space.”
Yoo’s viewers urged her to report the incident but she was reluctant to involve the police. “I don’t think they can do anything,” she said, according to Yahoo news channel.
However, the clip spread quickly online and sparked global outrage. Support poured in for Yoo, especially from the French apologising for the man’s actions and vowing to ask for justice on her behalf.
“I’m extremely saddened and appalled by what happened to you. I’m French, I live in Toulouse and this attack in no way shape or form represents what we are and above all who we are. I’m really sorry,” one posted.
Another apologised on behalf of the French people and said: “We will find him and sue him.”
As indignation swelled online, Toulouse Deputy Mayor Emilion Esnault issued an official statement on May 9 to condemn the incident, according to The Korea Times newspaper.
“Full support to Jinnytty, a streamer who was insulted and assaulted live in Toulouse. Like too many people in Toulouse, she was subjected to unacceptable behaviour. Justice must be firm to put an end to this impunity,” he said.
According to French news outlet Le Figaro on Sunday, Toulouse prosecutor David Charmatz said he had referred the case to the regional police department for investigation as a possible assault, which could involve racist and sexist motives.
He said the case could be classified as aggravated violence – particularly if it could be confirmed that the man used racist insults such as “dirty Chinese woman”, according to MSN news channel.
The perpetrator could also face charges of sexist insult. Introduced under the 2018 law against sexual and sexist violence, this criminal offence punishes insults of a sexual or sexist nature in public spaces.
Since the pandemic, there have been an increasing number of reports of people of Asian descent being harmed in Europe, according to reports by MSN. Several NGOs and anti-racist groups have called for authorities to clamp down on such acts.
The incident has also highlighted growing concern for the safety of live-streamers, especially women. Yoo’s attack, Yahoo wrote, “is greater than a personal incident. It is a searing reminder of the risks feminine streamers face every time they stream live outside their homes”.
On March 11, a 22-year-old Japanese influencer was attacked while live-streaming alone at about 9.50am in the Takadanobaba district of Shinjuku ward. Airi Sato died after she was stabbed multiple times in the neck and chest by 42-year-old Kenichi Takano, allegedly over a financial dispute.
