Women Entering a Bakery After Drinking, Causing a Scene with Abusive Language and Disorderly Conduct 'Condemned'

Four Middle-Aged Women Cause Disturbance at Bakery in Chungbuk
"Please Be Quiet," Staff's Request Angers Them
Police Dispatched, Women Loiter Around Store

A bakery operating in Chungju, Chungbuk, became the scene of a disturbance caused by middle-aged women intoxicated with alcohol, who spat and used abusive language.

Women pointing fingers at employees.
[Photo by JTBC 'Sageonbanjang']

On the 23rd, JTBC's 'Incident Commander' reported that the incident occurred on the 17th. CCTV footage from the store shows four female customers in their 50s to 60s entering the bakery and causing a loud commotion with severe profanity. An employee asked them to either leave if they were going to continue swearing or to refrain from using abusive language if they intended to keep eating. One of the women then approached the counter, spat toward the employee, and gestured aggressively.

The customer who cursed at the employee, identified as Ms. A, said, "Did it sound like I was cursing at you? You're unlucky," and showed little sign of calming down. The group left the store only after the police arrived, but returned shortly after the officers left, verbally abusing the staff again. They did not hesitate to use insulting remarks such as, "If you want to do business in Chungju, you should learn manners first," and "You act all high and mighty just selling bread."

Women watching the store around the shop despite police intervention.
[Photo by JTBC 'Sageonbanjang']

Eventually, the police were called again to manage the situation. The women insisted on staying in the store, claiming it was unfair that they were spoken to informally. Even after being forced to leave by the police, they lingered nearby, watching the store and wandering around. Because of this, the police had to monitor the store for over an hour.

Netizens who learned about the incident reacted with comments such as, "I'm too scared of those kinds of women to run a business," "They don't act their age," "Would they treat a young employee like that?" "I think it's unfair that everything is excused just because they drank," "It's shocking that not a single person tried to stop their behavior," "The four are the same kind of people. Birds of a feather," and "They don't even deserve to buy bread."

Meanwhile, the perception that the customer is always right has led to repeated cases of self-employed business owners being subjected to abusive behavior and even assault. In such cases, offenders can be punished under Article 260 of the Criminal Act for assault, with simple assault punishable by imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to 5 million won. If the offender causes a disturbance in the store by throwing various items or damaging property, they can face imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 7 million won. If the disturbance interferes with business operations, it falls under Article 314 of the Criminal Act for obstruction of business, punishable by imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to 15 million won.