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February 02, 2009
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A police investigation into the murders is ongoing. Major online shopping malls said yesterday that sales of self-defense items increased sharply over the week, in particular due to a rise in the number of female purchasers. Auction said it sold around 370 self-protection items during the week following the arrest of Kang Ho-sun on Jan. 25. This was a 60 percent increase from a week earlier, and a 45 percent rise from a year earlier, the company said. Women accounted for 65 percent of shoppers buying the items through Auction over the past week, in comparison with 40 percent a year earlier. Data from G-Market, another online shop, showed sales of around 330 self-defense products over the past week, marking a 40 percent increase from a month earlier. GS e-shop saw its sales of self-protection items rise 100 percent during the same period. The most popular item sold at the online shops has been a portable alarm that can be carried in handbags or pockets. The electronic device lets out a siren-like sound that is as loud as 100 decibels or higher, when triggered. Among other popular self-defense products are a lipstick-sized pepper spray that emits a pain-causing chemical. The spray can reach a four-meter range. Martial arts weapons such as steel nunchakus are also proving to be popular items, the companies said. By Moon Gwang-lip Staff Reporter [joe@joongang.co.kr] |
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