"Stepping on Jokbal with Boots Worn While Smoking and Cleaning"... Hygiene at Famous Jokbal Chain 'Terrible'

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[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] It has been revealed that a famous jokbal (pig's trotters) chain store engaged in unsanitary cooking processes, such as stepping on pig's trotters while wearing boots worn outside.

On the 30th, YTN reported a video from January showing a man, Mr. A, wearing rubber boots at a jokbal chain store in Osan, Gyeonggi Province, stepping into a tin basin and stepping on pig's trotters to drain the blood. According to the headquarters' guidelines, blood should be drained by hand or machine.

Regarding this, Mr. A explained to YTN, "If a person presses with their hand, the blood doesn't drain well. Because there is no body weight. And if you use your foot, you can apply your body weight."

On the 30th, YTN reported that at a famous jokbal (pig's trotters) chain store in Osan, Gyeonggi Province, someone stepped on the pig's trotters wearing outdoor boots to drain the blood. Photo by YTN Broadcast Capture.

The bigger problem is that Mr. A used the same boots, which he wore outside while smoking or cleaning, to drain the blood from the jokbal. Mr. B, who was an employee at the time, told YTN, "(Mr. A) stepped on the blood with his foot, but he was not wearing dedicated boots. He wore those boots while cleaning and going outside. If he wore the boots during the day, he kept them on even while cleaning."

According to the report, some employees raised concerns about Mr. A's behavior, but the store owner reportedly dismissed it as insignificant. Another employee at the time, Mr. C, said, "(When the issue was pointed out) Mr. A said he was doing it because the boss told him to, and the boss just said, 'Oh, really?' and let it go."

However, the store owner denied this and said he fired Mr. A after becoming aware of the facts. He explained to YTN, "I mismanaged... (After realizing the facts) I told him, 'It's not good for hygiene or for customers to do that, so don't do it, don't come out.' He only came to our store for two or three days."

Meanwhile, the franchise headquarters expressed regret to YTN for failing to fulfill management responsibilities. According to them, the store was ordered to close temporarily and complete special hygiene training.