"Arms Crossed and Hands on Hips, Is That an Apologetic Posture?" Another Controversy Over a Chicken Restaurant Abusing Official

It is Unconfirmed Whether the Chicken Restaurant Owner Received an Apology
Netizens Say "This Is Not an Apologetic Attitude," Doubting Sincerity

A public official from Daegu Jung-gu Office, who caused a controversy over power abuse at a chicken restaurant, is facing renewed criticism for his attitude while apologizing. On the 20th, a post titled "False Apology from Daegu Jung-gu Office" was uploaded on the online community 'Bobaedream.' The author, Mr. A, attached two photos, saying, "This is the scene where the Daegu Jung-gu Office people who caused a disturbance, power abuse, and threats at the chicken restaurant came back to apologize." In the photos, one of the three men has his arms crossed. Another has his hand on his waist, and the remaining man is standing upright without any gesture.

Daegu Jung-gu Office officials visiting a chicken restaurant owner who exposed abuse of power on the 17th to offer an apology.
[Photo by online community 'BobaeDream']

Mr. A stated that the men in the photos are the Jung-gu Office employees who committed the power abuse, and said, "Is that how you apologize? In my 46 years of life, I have never seen anyone apologize in that posture." He criticized, "That is not an apologetic posture but a confrontational one," adding, "Have you ever seen someone apologize with crossed arms and a hand on their side? It kills the victim twice." The photos Mr. A posted are identical to some scenes recently broadcasted by KBS. The broadcast reported that the person involved in the power abuse controversy visited the chicken restaurant to express an apology, but the restaurant owner was emotionally distressed and put the business up for sale.

It has not yet been confirmed whether the restaurant owner actually accepted the apology at that time. Netizens commented on Mr. A’s post, criticizing their attitude with remarks such as "They have a talent for making things bigger," "A threat disguised as an apology," "Clearly not a posture conveying remorse," and "Hand on the waist is the last pride."

Earlier, on the 13th, a post exposing the power abuse by Daegu Jung-gu Office employees was uploaded on the self-employed online community 'Apeunikka Sajangida' (Because It Hurts, I’m the Boss). The owner claimed that among four customers who visited the chicken restaurant on the 7th, one deliberately spilled beer on the floor and verbally abused the owner’s wife. He said that one of them was a Jung-gu Office employee, and the group said, "I’m a Jung-gu Office employee, and I’ve never seen a place like this. I will make sure this business fails immediately."

On the 13th, a post exposing the 'gapjil' (abuse of power) by an employee of Daegu Jung-gu Office was uploaded on the self-employed online community 'Apeunikka Sajangida'. The business owner claimed that on the 7th, one of four customers who visited the chicken restaurant deliberately poured beer on the floor and verbally abused the owner's wife.
[Photo source=Online community 'Apeunikka Sajangida']

The owner lamented, "Seeing two people deliberately spill beer on the floor and verbally abuse and threaten my wife made me feel so powerless at that moment, and I feel like I caused great pain to my wife, so my heart is very heavy." As this post spread, criticism of power abuse followed. In response, Jung-gu launched an investigation, confirmed that all four customers were office employees, and posted an apology on its website on the 18th.

In the apology, Jung-gu Mayor Ryu Gyu-ha said, "I apologize to the business owner, residents, and many people who have come across this incident regarding the beer incident caused by the employee who caused the disturbance." Jung-gu is currently conducting individual face-to-face audits of the four public officials involved.