"Never Forget That Gaze"... Chicken Restaurant Involved in 'Public Official Power Abuse' Finally Decides to Close

Deliberately Spilling Beer on Chicken Restaurant Floor Sparks Controversy
Owner Visits Store to Apologize Amid Growing Backlash, but Attitude Causes Further Debate

A chicken restaurant that complained of being subjected to 'gapjil' by a group of public officials has ultimately decided to close down. Mr. A, who ran the chicken restaurant with his wife in Daegu, said on Channel A on the 21st, "I cannot forget the look in that (official's) eyes," and announced his decision to close the business. The incident occurred on the 13th. Four male public officials from Daegu Jung-gu Office visited Mr. A's restaurant just before closing time and drank alcohol. The trouble began when one of the men spilled beer on the floor.

As this fact became known through an online community, the district mayor posted an official apology on the 18th. Also, the men visited the chicken restaurant the day before and apologized to Mr. and Mrs. A. However, their attitude during the apology became controversial again.
[Photo source=Online community 'Apeunikka Sajangida']

At that time, Mr. A's wife wiped up the beer that had soaked the floor, and the men left the restaurant but then returned, pointing fingers and shouting at her. The men said, "It's possible to spill beer; is cleaning the floor such a big deal?" and threatened, "I am an employee of the district office here, and I will ruin your business." When this fact became known through online communities, the district mayor issued an official apology on the 18th. The day before, the men visited the chicken restaurant and apologized to Mr. A and his wife. However, their apology attitude sparked further controversy. One man had both hands on his waist, and another stood with his arms crossed.

Mr. A expressed, "Their posture was casual and disrespectful. It felt like they were just ordered to apologize. When I see people drunk, I tend to think like that. I cannot forget the look in that man's eyes." Regarding this case, Daegu Jung-gu Office is reportedly conducting an investigation into the officials. Concerning the controversy over their apology attitude, the office explained, "It was exactly as shown in the video, so there is nothing to say," and added, "They did go to apologize."

Netizens who heard the news responded with comments such as, "They forced a properly operating store to close, so the officials should be expelled," "Are they gangsters, not public officials? They should be severely punished and fired," and "A district office employee threatening a self-employed person is unacceptable."

Currently, Daegu Jung-gu Office is conducting an investigation into the officials involved. A Jung-gu Office official acknowledged, "It is true they went to apologize as shown in the video," but regarding the controversy over their apology attitude, added, "There is nothing more to say."