Chinese nationals vandalise Xi Jinping-named restaurant in South Korea

← Back to the feed

Chinese nationals vandalise Xi Jinping-named restaurant in South Korea

BBC World · 2 hours ago

A Chinese restaurant in South Korea named after leader Xi Jinping has been vandalised by a group of Chinese nationals, who fled back to China after the attack. The incident highlights tensions surrounding the restaurant's controversial name, which has drawn mounting pressure from both individuals and businesses in China demanding a change over the past year.

On 24 September, four masked men, believed to be Chinese nationals aged between 20 and 40, smashed furniture and sprayed lacquer throughout the premises in Seongnam, south of Seoul, causing approximately 15 million won (£8,400) in damage. The restaurant's owner, who opened the establishment eight years ago, has insisted there was no political intent behind the name choice, stating he merely wanted to create the best Chinese restaurant in South Korea. Demands for a name change intensified in August following news of Xi's attendance at the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation Summit, with some business people from China even offering substantial sums to change the name. Police have identified the four suspects and are seeking red notices from Interpol to facilitate their detention and potential extradition.

  • Chinese nationals vandalised a South Korean restaurant named after Xi Jinping
  • Owner faces sustained pressure to rename establishment; now considers doing so
  • Police seek extradition of four Chinese suspects via Interpol

Asia Culture Food Geopolitics Politics World

Read the full article at the source →

Originally published by BBC World as “Restaurant named after Xi Jinping attacked by Chinese nationals in South Korea”.