Police to seek detention warrants for 4 Chinese men over restaurant vandalism

Korean police announced on Monday their intention to seek detention warrants for four Chinese men suspected of vandalizing a restaurant named after President Xi Jinping in Seongnam, a city near Seoul. The suspects, aged between 20 and 40, are accused of breaking into the restaurant on Thursday morning. They broke in, defacing the building both inside and out with lacquer and paint. There is further suspicion that they contaminated food ingredients with an unknown substance, possibly pesticide.

According to an official from the Korean National Police Agency, the decision to seek detention warrants will be made today. The suspects have already left China, the official explained, stating that the police will work closely with China through their International Cooperation Bureau. The four individuals were seen returning to their lodgings in Seoul before making their escape to China via Incheon International Airport, located west of Seoul, on the day of the incident.

The police have identified the suspects and plan to request Interpol Red Notices once the detention warrants are issued. However, the extent to which China will cooperate in extraditing the men remains uncertain.