[Getty Images Bank]
[Getty Images Bank]

A group of Chinese customers sparked public outrage after allegedly spitting on the floor and smoking inside a restaurant in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.

According to JTBC's "Sageon Banjang," a TV news magazine program that aired Thursday, four Chinese customers visited a restaurant in Suwon on Monday. Already heavily intoxicated, the group said they did not know how to use the restaurant's self-order tablet system and demanded that a staff member take their order in person.

The situation deteriorated during the meal. The group grew loud and disruptive and did not hesitate to spit on the restaurant floor. One man in the group even smoked inside the establishment.

When another customer confronted him, asking what he thought he was doing, the man got up and went outside to finish his cigarette.

The disruption did not stop there. The group continued making loud video calls inside the restaurant, disturbing other diners. They also allegedly brought in outside food and drinks — including banana milk — consumed them on the premises and left their trash behind.

The customer who reported the incident said they wanted to bring the issue to public attention so it would not be repeated. "Regardless of nationality, basic order and etiquette must be observed in public places," the person said.

Indoor smoking, spitting may carry legal penalties

Smoking inside a restaurant is subject to a fine under the National Health Promotion Act. Because general restaurants are designated no-smoking zones, anyone caught smoking indoors can face a fine of up to 100,000 won ($74). The same rule applies to synthetic-nicotine liquid e-cigarettes.

Spitting in public, causing a disturbance while intoxicated, using abusive language and illegally dumping trash in places where people gather are also punishable under the Minor Offenses Act. Violations can result in a fine of up to 100,000 won, detention or a minor penalty.

If the owner lawfully asked the group to leave and they refused to comply, the customers could face charges of failure to vacate. If their conduct obstructed the restaurant's normal business operations through disruption or the use of force, they could also be charged with interference with business.


betterj@heraldcorp.com