Xi Jinping-Named Restaurant Attacked in South Korea, Suspects Flee to China

A restaurant named after Chinese President Xi Jinping has been attacked in South Korea, with police identifying four Chinese nationals as suspects who are believed to have fled to China.

The attack took place at the restaurant in Seongnam, south of Seoul, in the early hours of September 24. CCTV footage shows four masked men entering the premises, damaging furniture and spraying lacquer inside the restaurant.

Police said the suspects, all men aged between 20 and 40, are believed to have travelled to China following the incident. Investigators are preparing to request Interpol red notices as they continue efforts to locate the men.

The restaurant’s owner said he chose the name Xi Jinping with the intention of making his business known as a leading Chinese restaurant in South Korea. He said there was no political meaning behind the decision.

The business has operated under the name for eight years but has faced increasing pressure to change it over the past year. The owner said he received repeated calls demanding a name change, including some offers of money from people claiming to operate businesses in China.

Earlier this year, a complaint was also filed over a menu item called “Xi Jinping Special Rice”. South Korea’s intellectual property authorities later closed the case after finding no issue with the dish.

The latest attack caused around 15 million won ($11,100) in property damage, according to the owner. The restaurant closed for five days and reopened on Tuesday.

The owner said the business is now considering changing its name following the incident.

The attack comes amid heightened sensitivities surrounding relations between South Korea and China, although police have not publicly established a motive for the vandalism.