Details of the Seongnam restaurant vandalism
Four masked men stormed a restaurant in Seongnam, a city located south of Seoul, in the early hours of 24 September. Surveillance footage captured the group smashing furniture and spraying lacquer throughout the premises. According to local media reports, the owner estimated the property damage at approximately 15 million won, which is roughly $11,100 or £8,400.
The establishment, which has been operating for eight years, was forced to close for five days following the incident. It officially reopened on Tuesday. While the restaurant serves a variety of Chinese dishes alongside some South Korean menu items, the recent violence has fundamentally disrupted its operations. Online reviews from Google show the eatery previously maintained an average rating of four out of five stars.
Background of the name and political pressure
The owner stated to local media that the decision to use the name Xi Jinping was driven by a desire to create the best Chinese restaurant in South Korea, rather than any specific political intent. However, the name has become a source of increasing friction over the last twelve months.
According to The Chosun Daily, the restaurant began receiving consistent demands for a name change within the past year. This pressure intensified in August last year when news emerged regarding Xi Jinping's planned attendance at the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation Summit in South Korea. During this period, the owner reported receiving dozens of phone calls from individuals insisting on a name change. Some callers, claiming to represent businesses operating within China, allegedly offered large sums of money to facilitate the rebranding. The owner described these individuals as being extremely persistent in their requests.
Legal challenges regarding menu items
The political sensitivity surrounding the restaurant's branding extended to its food offerings. In April of this year, a formal complaint was filed with South Korea's Ministry of Intellectual Property. The complaint specifically targeted a menu item titled "Xi Jinping Special Rice." Despite the formal grievance, the ministry eventually closed the case, determining that there were no legal issues with the dish's name.
Police investigation and international pursuit
South Korean police have identified the suspects as four Chinese men between the ages of 20 and 40. Following the attack, the group reportedly fled the country. Authorities believe the suspects have relocated to Shanghai and Yantai, a city situated in China's Shandong province.
In response to the suspects fleeing the jurisdiction, police announced on Tuesday that they are planning to request red notices from Interpol. It is important to note that these red notices are not arrest warrants. Instead, they serve as requests to law enforcement agencies globally to detain specific individuals pending their extradition to South Korea. This move highlights the international dimension of the vandalism and the authorities' commitment to locating the four men involved in the Seongnam attack.
Future of the establishment
The recent escalation of violence has left the business owner at a crossroads. While the restaurant has resumed service, the psychological and financial impact of the vandalism is significant. The owner has indicated that the management team is currently considering the possibility of adopting a new name for the eatery to avoid further conflict.
The transition away from the current branding would mark the end of an eight-year era for the Seongnam business. Whether the owner chooses to fight for the original name or succumb to the persistent pressure that led to the September attack remains to be seen. For now, the focus remains on the legal pursuit of the suspects and the recovery of the physical premises.