The streets of Hongdae in Seoul appeared relatively quiet last July. The photo is unrelated to the specific content of the article. (Photo by Yonhap News)
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] It has been revealed that a self-employed man in his 50s, who had operated a famous beer house in Mapo, Seoul for over 20 years, took an extreme step after being unable to endure the prolonged COVID-19 crisis, business difficulties, and financial hardship.
According to Yonhap News on the 12th, Mr. A (57), a self-employed person who started a beer house in Mapo, Seoul in 1999 and later operated four restaurants including a Japanese-style pub, was found dead in his one-room apartment on the 7th.
The time of Mr. A’s death is estimated to be a few days before he was found, and his last contact with an acquaintance was on the 31st of last month. His funeral was held on the 12th at Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital in Seoul.
Mr. A’s establishment was reportedly bustling with customers, with popular menu items like charcoal barbecue having been featured multiple times on broadcasts. It was especially popular as a venue for company dinners, and during the year-end season, it was said that all-day group reservations had to be accepted. Over the years, Mr. A expanded his business to four locations, including a Japanese-style pub and a Korean buffet.
Having successfully grown his business, Mr. A was known to take care of his employees by trying a five-day workweek and providing annual leave. Nearby self-employed individuals lamented that "Mr. A raised welfare standards so high that it became difficult to hire people."
Mr. A, who took good care of those around him, would deliberately prepare extra food when running the Korean buffet to send to welfare foundations and consistently donated to political parties and organizations.
However, as the COVID-19 situation prolonged, Mr. A’s business declined. Sales dropped to half or one-third, falling helplessly below 100,000 won per day, and from the end of last year, when operating restrictions were tightened, customers stopped coming altogether.
Although the stores he operated had already been consolidated into one with 100 seats several years ago, the period during which he could not afford rent and employee salaries continued.
Before passing away, Mr. A reportedly gave up his one-room apartment where he lived to pay his employees’ salaries, borrowing the shortfall from acquaintances. The mobile phone found with Mr. A contained text messages urging debt repayment or requesting that he vacate the house.
On that day, employees who had worked with the deceased continued to visit Mr. A’s funeral home. On online memorial spaces, messages remembering him were posted, such as "I am so sorry I couldn’t give anything to the boss," "Rest in peace now," and "Thank you for always welcoming me warmly during hard times."
Meanwhile, in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, on the same day, another self-employed person, Mr. B, was found dead after leaving a note expressing hardship. According to the police, Mr. B, who ran a chicken restaurant in Yeosu, left a note saying, "I am financially struggling. I am sorry to my parents."
The police are investigating the case, considering the low possibility of homicide due to the absence of signs of external intrusion.
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