[JTBC 'Sageon Banjang']
[JTBC 'Sageon Banjang']

An SBS staff comedian allegedly hurled abuse at a bar owner, smashed a beer glass and went on a drunken rampage at a whisky bar near Hongik University Station in Seoul, according to a report that aired Tuesday on JTBC's "Sageon Banjang," a crime news program.

The incident took place after midnight on Sept. 3 at a whisky bar in Mapo-gu, near Hongik University Station.

According to the bar owner, who tipped off the program, two male customers — identified only as A and B — were drinking together when a foreign customer seated nearby struck up a conversation with them.

After the conversation ended, the foreign customer offered a handshake, saying he was glad to have met them. At that moment, B suddenly demanded to know why the foreigner was touching him. The owner and staff intervened, and the foreign customer left the bar.

A then confronted the owner, asking why he had taken the foreigner's side instead of a fellow Korean's. The owner replied that the foreign customer had not meant any harm by the gesture.

A responded with a torrent of verbal abuse, shouting phrases such as "Why are you so rude?" and "I'll make sure your place goes under." He also identified himself by name and declared that he was an SBS staff comedian.

Growing increasingly agitated, A accused the owner of looking down on him for drinking beer instead of whisky, then hurled a beer glass, shattering it.

When a female staff member lightly touched his arm in an attempt to calm him down, A claimed she had assaulted him. He went on to tell police who responded to the scene that the employee had dislocated his shoulder, forcing her to submit a written statement.

A and his companion also left without paying. They claimed the owner had cleared away the bottles, making it impossible to tally the bill. Police were unable to persuade them to pay and advised the owner to pursue the matter through civil litigation.

The owner filed a complaint against A on charges of obstruction of business and dining and dashing.

In response, A's side said the foreign customers had forced their way in despite there being no seats and had elbowed them, and that A had grown angry because the owner behaved rudely. On the unpaid bill, they said the owner had cleared away their glasses and told them to leave, which was why they had not paid.


paq@heraldcorp.com