In the United States, the term "Going Postal" is not just slang; it originated in the 1980s and 90s at the USPS (United States Postal Service).

During that time, a series of incidents occurred where employees, facing layoffs and organizational conflicts, attacked their coworkers with firearms.

The most notable incident was the 1986 Edmond, Oklahoma event, where a postal worker killed 14 colleagues, shocking American society. Since then, the term "Going Postal" has come to refer to situations where anger suddenly erupts into workplace violence.

The problem is that while the form has changed, the issue continues to this day.

Recent examples show that this pattern keeps repeating.

Incidents like the 2024 Pennsylvania laundry facility shooting, the 2023 Kentucky Louisville bank shooting, the 2021 Indiana FedEx facility shooting, and the 2019 Illinois manufacturing incident occur almost every year, with major incidents making international news every 2 to 3 years.

The common factors are layoffs, disciplinary actions, workplace conflicts, and access to firearms. These three elements overlap, leading to continued gun violence.

Particularly in the U.S., access to firearms is high, and the layoff process is relatively quick and decisive. This can lead to extreme outcomes.

The stress of being laid off is not just a matter of mood; it is a shock that shakes the foundation of one's life.

Feelings of anxiety about losing income, uncertainty about the future, and a drop in self-esteem all hit at once.

In a system like the U.S., where health insurance and living conditions are tied to employment, this impact is even greater.

Many people suddenly feel like they have become "unnecessary" overnight.

Related studies have shown that the psychological shock from being laid off is comparable to that of divorce, heartbreak, or the sudden death of a family member.

Statistics support this trend. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workplace homicides have been steadily increasing, with most of them involving firearms. This is not just a simple crime; it is a combination of "workplace stress + personal anger + firearms."

As a result, companies are changing their responses. It is becoming more common to have security personnel present during layoffs and to immediately block access to the workplace for those who are terminated. Nevertheless, the reason this problem persists is that the root causes have not been addressed.

The structure of stress remains the same, the methods of layoffs have not significantly changed, and Americans' easy access to firearms continues.

However, in the Korean community, such incidents are relatively rare.

The reason is that gun ownership is below the American average. Additionally, there is a strong cultural tendency to endure and suppress emotions. Furthermore, Koreans tend to have family and community-centered structures, making complete isolation relatively uncommon.

Ultimately, this issue is a problem with the American system.

Unless these issues change simultaneously, I believe the phenomenon of "Going Postal" will be difficult to eliminate.