Since murder of student, night life
in Seoul district no longer carefree
By B.R. Sargent, Seoul
bureau
Fear has intensified in a popular area near the Army’s Yongsan Garrison since the
unsolved brutal murder of a 21-year-old American student, people in Itaewon say.
Itaewon is home to thousands of stores, bars and restaurants. Less than a mile from
Yongsan, it’s also where Jamie Penich, an exchange student, was stomped to death.
After hearing news of the murder, Tyra Lamb’s family decided to make sure their
22-year-old daughter doesn’t go out alone.
"This should raise parents’ awareness," said Lamb, 45, whose husband is
in the Army.
Korean Police say they have no leads in the case.
Penich, who was visiting Seoul during St. Patrick’s Day weekend, was murdered at
the Kum Sung Motel in Itaewon.
Every day, almost 5,000 people visit Itaewon, described on its Web site as the shopping
town of Seoul. There are almost 2,000 restaurants, more than 1,400 retail stores, about
500 "merry-making" places, four public bath houses and 13 lodging facilities,
according to the Web site. It leaves the definition of merry-making up for interpretation.
However, as the sun goes down, the potential for danger increases, say many in the
area, located a short walk from Yongsan Garrison.
"I don’t come down here (Itaewon) at night," said Staff Sgt. Janice
Gaspard, 30, of the 516th Personnel Services Battalion.
"I know some Korean nationals who are afraid to go to Itaewon (because) Itaewon is
where all the Americans hang out," said Staff Sgt. Henry Danache, 29, of the 121st
General Hospital. American servicemembers have been questioned in the murder.
Koreans are afraid because, "No one really knows who the killer is," Danache
said.
Not knowing is the worst part for 16-year-old Paul Bock, a Seoul American High School
student. More than 10 weeks have passed, and police said they have no suspects or evidence
and have to restart the investigation.
"After hearing about the murder, "I was kind of scared," Bock said.
Davida Bache, an English professor at Seoul University, said, "I’d be shocked
if it was a stranger who did this to her."
Kang Mi-kyun, 36, a sales girl for European, a store less than a hundred yards from the
motel where Penich was murdered, said, "Most of the shops in Itaewon close at 9:30
p.m. because of the danger." The potential for danger increases as the night grows,
she said through an interpreter. "Koreans, Americans, Pakistanis — many people
from many countries come out at night."
"It’s an old cliché, but girls shouldn’t go anywhere alone," said
Dusty Jamison, 36, an English teacher from Vancouver, British Columbia.
"Seoul is the safest city I’ve ever been in in my life. Sometimes things just
happen. There are no answers for it. There are lots of details we may never know."
Bache has been out alone after 2 a.m. before and never felt scared. "I just
don’t walk in dark alleys." Bache thinks Seoul is a very safe place.
"I’m from Los Angeles, where drive-by shootings are common. I’ve only seen
three fights here in two years."
Joyce Hanson called the situation "very sad."
Hanson, a librarian at Seoul American Middle School, said she has to hear from her
stateside daughter every day by e-mail. "I know her (Penich’s) parents feel
helpless."
Chon Hye-suk contributed to this report.
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