"Because She's a Girl... " Infamous Meat Restaurant Owner Commits 'Despicable Acts' Against High School Part-Time Worker

Investigation Launched into Illegal Activities by Police and Labor Office

On the 1st, Yonhap News reported that the owner of a famous meat restaurant in Seoul assaulted and threatened a minor part-time worker, prompting investigations by the police and the Labor Office.

A (16), a first-year student at a high school in Seoul, was assaulted and verbally abused by the restaurant owner B on the 25th of last month, where she worked part-time. She was diagnosed with a concussion due to being hit on the head and had to receive psychiatric treatment due to the shock.

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A's family filed a complaint against B with the police on charges of assault, threats, and child abuse, and simultaneously reported wage arrears and violations of the Labor Standards Act to the Labor Office.

B reportedly became enraged and assaulted A because she did not immediately report a dine-and-dash incident that occurred at the restaurant. A thought that B and the dine-and-dash offender were well acquainted and assumed they would resolve the matter themselves, so she did not report it.

A claimed she was hit on the head more than ten times with fists, staggering to the point of collapsing, and that her hair was also grabbed. She stated that the owner even took off his watch to assault the minor part-time worker.

On the other hand, the owner's claim differs. He denied using fists and said he only slapped her five times on the head with his palm, like a light tap. In an apology letter expressing his desire for an amicable resolution, he wrote, "Because she is a girl, I hit her head five times with my palm so as not to damage her face." In an interview with a media outlet, he insisted, "A caused trouble, lied, and tried to cover it up."

B also made A repay 150,000 won after she broke two plates and damaged some equipment while working. A had already reimbursed 90,000 won for the damages incurred during her work, leaving 60,000 won unpaid when she was assaulted by B and subsequently quit her job.

The meat restaurant operated by B is located next to a luxury apartment complex, and its "premium Hanwoo beef set" menu reportedly costs over 600,000 won. It is a famous place with a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Naver’s restaurant reviews, over 2,000 visitor and blog reviews, and has been featured on terrestrial TV broadcasts.