[On-site Video] "Oh no, what to do?" Euljiro Famous Restaurant 'Yangmiok' Completely Burned Down... Over 80 Evacuated

[Asia Economy Reporters Seunggon Han, PD Jingeun Yoon, Intern PD Hyewon Lim] "We will have to cancel all year-end appointments."

A fire broke out on the 23rd at 'Yangmiok,' a beef tripe specialty restaurant located in Euljiro 3-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, and the fire department extinguished it. According to the fire authorities, the fire started around 7:50 PM at Yangmiok and continued for 7 hours, causing great confusion as about 80 customers and employees evacuated.

The fire department immediately issued Response Level 1 and mobilized 167 firefighters and 42 fire trucks to extinguish the fire. There were no casualties, but both the first and second floors of Yangmiok were burned down, and the fire spread to the second floor of an adjacent building, which was completely destroyed.

Opened in 1992 on Euljiro street, 'Yangmiok' is also famous as a regular spot frequently visited by former President Kim Dae-jung. On the left side of the restaurant entrance, there is a photo of former President Kim and his wife Lee Hee-ho with the restaurant staff.

In a 2009 interview with a media outlet, Yangmiok’s CEO Tak Seungho shared an anecdote about former President Kim, saying, "He visited the restaurant about three times a month," and "He always treated us with warmth. Due to security concerns, he mainly visited during relatively quiet Sunday lunches."

Citizens have expressed their regret. Mr. Kim, a company employee in his 40s, said, "It’s a bit disappointing to lose a great restaurant that I occasionally visited with my colleagues."

Another office worker in his 30s, Mr. Park, said, "Since the prices were a bit high, I often got treated by senior colleagues at work, and I think this place was the best for tripe taste. But now that it burned down like this, I believe the owner and staff must be deeply saddened."

Yangmiok, which had been operating for 29 years this year, almost disappeared into history in 2019 due to redevelopment in the area. However, redevelopment was canceled after protests from several long-established merchants including Yangmiok, and later Yangmiok was designated as a 'Living Cultural Heritage,' recognizing its preservation value.