A restaurant in Seongnam, a city south of Seoul, was attacked on September 24 by four masked men, who stormed the premises, smashing furniture and spraying lacquer. Surveillance footage captured the incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning. The restaurant, named after Chinese President Xi Jinping, has been in operation for eight years.
The owner of the restaurant chose the name Xi Jinping with the intention of running the "best Chinese restaurant" in South Korea, stating that there was no political intent behind the decision. However, the name has been a source of controversy, with some people demanding a name change. In August last year, when news broke that Xi would be attending the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation Summit in South Korea, the restaurant received dozens of phone calls relating to these demands.
Some individuals even offered money to change the name, with people claiming to run businesses in China proposing large sums. The owner, however, refused to budge. In April this year, someone filed a complaint with South Korea's Ministry of Intellectual Property regarding a dish on the restaurant's menu called Xi Jinping Special Rice, but the ministry eventually closed the case, finding no issues.
The attack on the restaurant caused significant damage, amounting to about 15 million won ($11,100; £8,400). The restaurant was closed for five days following the attack and reopened on Tuesday. The owner is now considering a new name for the eatery. Police identified the four suspects as Chinese men between the ages of 20 and 40, who fled to Shanghai and Yantai, a city in China's Shandong province.
The police are planning to request red notices from Interpol for the four men, which are not arrest warrants but rather requests to police around the world to detain someone pending extradition. The restaurant serves a wide range of Chinese dishes, as well as some South Korean offerings. Online reviewers have given it an average score of four out of five stars.
The incident highlights the tensions that can arise from cultural and linguistic differences. The owner's decision to name the restaurant after Xi Jinping was intended to attract customers, but it ultimately led to controversy. The attack has left the restaurant's staff and customers shaken.
The restaurant's future is uncertain, with the owner considering a name change. The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities of cultural exchange and the importance of understanding and respecting different perspectives.
Key points
- The restaurant was attacked by four masked Chinese men, causing $11,100 in damages.
- The owner chose the name Xi Jinping to run the "best Chinese restaurant" in South Korea.
- The suspects fled to Shanghai and Yantai, and Interpol red notices are being sought.
