'Alleged Chinese Secret Police' Chinese Restaurant "No Forced Repatriation of Anti-China Figures"

Support for Repatriation of Deceased and Injured Chinese Nationals
No Specific Criteria Disclosed
Operating at a Loss with 4.5 Billion 'Pre-Investment'
New Restaurant Scheduled to Open Near Myeongdong

On the afternoon of the 29th, Wang Haegun, the manager of a Chinese restaurant in Seoul identified as a domestic base of China's 'secret police station' operating overseas, held a press conference to announce his position on the allegations.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] The owner of a Chinese restaurant in Songpa-gu, Seoul, identified as a domestic base of the Chinese secret police, has completely denied allegations in the media of forcibly detaining anti-China figures. They added that they are supporting the repatriation of Chinese nationals who have died or been injured in Korea.

Wang Haegun (44), the owner of the Chinese restaurant "Dongbang Myeongju" located in Songpa-gu, Seoul, explained at the "Secret Police Office Fact-Finding Explanation Meeting" on the afternoon of the 31st that the business was operating normally under a formal contract. At a press conference on the 29th, Wang introduced himself as the de facto controller of Dongbang Myeongju, the chief of the Seoul Hwajo Center (OCSC), CEO of HG Cultural Media, and the chief of the Hanwha China Peaceful Unification Promotion Federation.

Regarding the Seoul Hwajo Center (OCSC), suspected to be linked to the secret police office, he stated, "It plays a role in supporting our nationals to return to China when they have illnesses or sudden emergencies." He added that there have been cases where they helped with funerals of people who died unexpectedly or provided repatriation services for compatriots with total paralysis.

However, he did not provide specific details on the criteria used to repatriate Chinese residents in Korea to their home country.

Regarding the daily consulate events held by the Hwajo Center, he said these were regularly held events coordinated with Korean courts and the police agency, but they have not been held in the past three years due to the impact of COVID-19.

On the afternoon of the 29th, Wang Haegun, the manager of a Chinese restaurant in Seoul identified as a domestic base of China's 'secret police station' operating overseas, held a press conference to announce his position on the allegations.

Regarding the relationship with Lee Youngsoo, chairman of the New Korea Association and host of the People Power Party's Gyeonggi regional meeting, at the restaurant this March, he explained that Lee was just a regular customer and that they did not have deep communication.

Wang explained that he has maintained operations despite losses because he invested 4.5 billion won. He said, "I invested a total of 4.5 billion won in restaurant safety construction and remodeling," adding, "We are currently not operating due to safety issues, but we have no reason to leave." He also mentioned that recent controversies caused about 1,500 group reservations to be canceled, resulting in huge losses.

Regarding criticisms about the quality of the food, he stated, "Dongbang Myeongju was a restaurant serving bulgogi to Chinese tourists, and problems arose because jajangmyeon was provided as a complimentary dish."

Wang announced plans to open and operate a new restaurant named "Macao Doulao" near Myeongdong Cathedral in Jung-gu, Seoul. He said, "To commemorate this incident, we will sell secret police office A course and B course menus," adding, "No more dishes like jajangmyeon will be served."

Meanwhile, Dongbang Myeongju recently attracted attention after being identified as a Chinese secret police office. It is known that the counterintelligence authorities became suspicious due to the fact that Dongbang Myeongju had been operating for five years despite being in a state of capital erosion. Currently, there is a conflict with the landlord who holds the operating rights of the restaurant because the monthly rent of about 30 million won has not been paid.