A middle school girl in Mexico is reportedly facing ostracism and bullying from classmates for liking K-pop.
On the 17th (local time), according to BTS and actor Lee Min-ho's Mexican fan club "Promesas MINOZ ARMY" and the Mexico City Prosecutor's Office, it has been reported that on the 4th, a 13-year-old student, Fatima Zavala, jumped from the third floor of a middle school in the Iztapalapa area of Mexico City after succumbing to the pressure from her peers.
Fatima is receiving treatment at a nearby hospital after the fall. The Mexico City Prosecutor's Office is investigating the circumstances of the fall, stating that they are unclear.
This incident gained attention as claims emerged that Fatima had been a victim of bullying and ostracism from her classmates.
Fatima's parents claimed, "Fatima was bullied because she enjoys listening to K-pop and likes Korean culture." Friends of Fatima are also reported to have shared similar views and testimonies during the investigation.
The Mexico City Prosecutor's Office stated in a press release that "on the 7th, the father of the student who fell officially reported allegations of school violence, and an investigation was immediately launched," adding, "The prosecutor's office will conduct a thorough investigation to clarify the facts surrounding the school violence."
As the Fatima incident became widely known through social media, expressions of anger and solidarity have emerged not only in Mexico but also in various places. K-pop fans, in particular, are spreading posts demanding severe punishment for the perpetrators of this incident, using the hashtag "#JusticeForFatima."
The South Korean embassy in Mexico also expressed its intention to join the movement against school violence triggered by the Fatima incident through social media.