"Barefoot and Wearing a Gat, He Sprayed Red Paint"...Restaurant Set to Open Vandalized for Two Consecutive Days

[Financial News] A self-employed restaurant owner who has operated a restaurant in Jongno District, Seoul, for 30 years reportedly suffered damage from filth and spray paint for two consecutive days while preparing to open a new location.
According to JTBC’s “Incident Chief” on the 11th, informant A was recently carrying out interior renovations ahead of opening a new restaurant. The situation changed on the afternoon of the 5th, when the person in charge of the construction contacted A and said, "Something terrible has happened. Come quickly and see."
When A arrived at the site, filth had been splashed across various parts of the restaurant’s exterior walls and entrance. After confirming the damage, A immediately reported it to the police.
The police told A that the alleged perpetrator, a man, had already turned himself in. A asked them to detain the man out of concern that he might commit another offense, but the police reportedly responded that it would be difficult to arrest him solely on suspicion of property damage while he had voluntarily surrendered.
A then asked the police, "If that is the case, please patrol the construction site at least once an hour."
However, the damage was repeated the following day. The police asked A to check the site, saying, "The situation seems more serious than yesterday." When A arrived, the restaurant had been damaged even more severely than the day before.
The second attack involved red spray paint. After seeing the entire store covered in red paint, A said, "We were almost finished preparing to open and only had to open the doors," adding, "I felt completely devastated and utterly crushed."
The police reportedly believe the additional vandalism occurred while officers briefly left the area after receiving another report during their patrol.
Video filmed by a nearby resident also showed a barefoot man wearing a hat resembling a traditional Korean gat and spraying red paint in front of the restaurant.
A said the man had been operating an illegal street stall near the restaurant. A explained that the man had piled various items, including dolls, furniture, and scrap metal, around the restaurant building.
The items piled around the site had to be removed for the interior renovations to proceed. A said that when A asked the man to "remove the items you have piled up," the man objected, saying, "It’s state-owned land. Who are you to tell me what I can or cannot remove?" A also claimed that the man later threatened, "I’ll make sure you can’t do business."
As related complaints continued, Jongno-gu Office issued several warnings and imposed fines. The office reportedly later carried out enforcement measures.
During the enforcement process, the man reportedly caused a disturbance by throwing and breaking items, and a Jongno-gu Office employee was injured as a result. The man was also reportedly placed under emergency arrest by the police at one point.
The man later reportedly mistakenly believed that A had filed the related complaints. A protested that A had never actually reported him and said it was unfair.
The man’s wife reportedly said she had heard people nearby say that the restaurant owner’s husband had reported her husband. She also reportedly told people around her that the man had long suffered from hoarding disorder and depression.
The man is currently reportedly being investigated without detention on suspicion of property damage and obstruction of official duties, among other charges.
The police are continuing their investigation while determining the extent and circumstances of the damage. They reportedly intend to actively consider seeking an arrest warrant if another offense occurs.

A’s greatest concern is that the man is still operating a street stall nearby. A expressed anxiety that they could encounter each other again, potentially leading to a direct physical confrontation.

A currently estimates the damage at approximately 20 million to 30 million won. Losses continue to mount as the opening schedule has also been delayed.


[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter