This photo is not directly related to the article. [123rf]
This photo is not directly related to the article. [123rf]

A customer at a kimbap restaurant who claimed to have found a pebble in his food assaulted staff and made threatening remarks, according to a report that aired Thursday.

JTBC's "Sageon Banjang" featured a tip from a restaurant employee, identified only as A, who said she suffered gapjil — abusive behavior by a person of perceived higher status — and physical assault at a kimbap shop in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province.

According to A, the incident occurred May 30. A man visited the restaurant with his wife and children and ordered two rolls of kimbap, a pork cutlet and beverages. After the group had nearly finished eating, he suddenly claimed there was a pebble in the kimbap and began hurling profanities.

The man made threatening remarks, saying "I'm a venture investor and I know a lot of people" and "You're finished," and berated A with comments such as "How dare someone who just rolls kimbap."

He also threw chopsticks at A, spat food and twisted the owner's arm. When A began recording the incident on her phone, the man lunged at her to snatch the device, then chased her into the kitchen and assaulted her there.

A offered to refund the cost of the kimbap, but the man refused to stop his outburst. She called the police, and when officers arrived, the man claimed he had also been assaulted and tried to present himself as a victim.

Upon learning that multiple witnesses and video footage existed, however, the man abruptly dropped to his knees and pleaded, "I have a lot to lose. Please withdraw the report."

Ultimately, A filed a complaint against the man on assault charges. The man has since filed a counter-complaint, alleging mutual assault.

A told the program that everything was captured on video and said she felt deep humiliation at the man's mutual-assault claim.


bbo@heraldcorp.com