A South Korean man attacked in Sydney says the media in his home country got it wrong, and the brutal attack could have happened anywhere.
“Korean Loses Finger in Racist Attack in Australia” reads the headline of Chosun Ilbo, South Korea's English language news site.
The same article goes on to say that Australia has recently seen a raft of racially motivated crimes against Asians.
There have been three separate incidents in as many states involving South Korean nationals in the past three months.
It's caused media outrage in South Korean outlets, and raied concerns over visitor safety.
But one of the three victims, a 33-year-old man surnamed Kim, told SBS Korean Radio that his attack was nothing to do with race.
He suffered heavy injuries after being attacked by a group of unidentified suspects in October this year near his house in Ultimo, Sydney.
"In my opinion, my incident had nothing to do with racial discrimination. I think it was not the case. When I was abruptly assaulted, the offenders did not actually say anything… The offenders just started assaulting me then disappeared," he said.
He also said that unprovoked attacks can happen anywhere in the world, and that he is sorry that the media in Korea have dealt with it as if it would only happen in Australia.
"My intention was misinterpreted and exaggerated by the Korean media. I was so embarrassed to read the articles in the Korean media about my incident."
The incidents have caused a diplomatic stir after the Korean government asked Victorian authorities to reinvestigate the initial case, calling for compensation for the victim.
Korean media outlets called the initial investigation as "inadequate and unfair", and alluded to possible police "cover-ups".
