Parents of Teen in ‘Urine Hot Pot’ Incident Pay 460 Million Won in Penalties and Publish Apology in Newspaper

[The Financial News] In a well-known Chinese hot pot restaurant in Shanghai, a teenage boy who urinated into a hot pot and his parents have paid more than 460 million won in compensation and even published an apology in a newspaper.
On the 8th, several local media outlets, including The Paper, reported that boy A, who urinated into a pot at the hot pot chain Haidilao, and his parents had published a statement in a newspaper saying they "sincerely apologize."
This was done in accordance with a court ruling, and the apology appeared on page three of the Renmin Court Daily that day. In the statement, A wrote that he "deeply recognizes" the wrongdoing of his actions and apologized to the restaurant company that operates Haidilao.
He went on to say, "I have been criticized and taught by my parents, my school, the Public Security Bureau, the court, and many online consumers. I have learned a profound lesson and will turn over a new leaf," adding, "When I become an adult, I will strive to be a responsible person for my family, my country, and society," reiterating his apology.
A’s parents also stated, "As his guardians, we deeply apologize for our child’s inappropriate behavior," and added, "We do not contest the court’s decision. We will strengthen his education and guide him so that he grows into a citizen with good conduct and respect for rules."
Previously, in February last year, A, then a teenager, urinated into a hot pot after drinking alcohol. His friend B filmed the scene and posted it on the internet, sparking controversy. The company then filed a civil lawsuit against the two boys, demanding 23 million yuan (about 4.464 billion won) in damages and replaced all hot pot pots and tableware at the branch in question.
The court later ordered them to pay 2.2 million yuan (about 460 million won) to cover related costs, including losses from tableware, cleaning expenses, and business losses, and to publish an apology in a designated newspaper. The recent publication of the apology was to comply with this ruling.
Haidilao, meanwhile, is a famous hot pot chain that currently operates more than 1,000 outlets worldwide, including 10 locations in South Korea.
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter