Restaurant named after Xi Jinping attacked by Chinese nationals in South Korea

A Chinese-owned restaurant in South Korea, named after Chinese leader Xi Jinping, has been attacked by four Chinese nationals who fled the scene after the incident, according to police. Surveillance footage from the establishment in Seongnam, a city south of Seoul, shows the masked men storming the premises early on September 24 and causing significant damage by smashing furniture and spraying lacquer.

The restaurant's owner revealed that he chose the name Xi Jinping in an effort to establish the restaurant as the premier Chinese eatery in South Korea, stating that there was no political motivation behind his decision. Despite receiving numerous requests for a name change over the past year, the owner maintained that his establishment had operated without issue for eight years.

However, in August of last year, as news broke that Xi Jinping would attend the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation Summit in South Korea, the owner began receiving numerous calls demanding a name change, some even offering financial incentives. In April, a complaint was filed with South Korea's Ministry of Intellectual Property regarding a menu item called "Xi Jinping Special Rice," but the matter was ultimately dismissed due to lack of evidence.

The attack on September 24 marked the largest incident the owner had experienced in the past year, resulting in approximately 15 million won ($11,100; £8,400) in property damage. The restaurant was closed for five days before reopening on Tuesday, and the owner is now considering a new name for the establishment. Police have identified the four suspects as Chinese men between the ages of 20 and 40, who are believed to have fled to Shanghai and Yantai, a city in China's Shandong province, following the attack.

Authorities are preparing to request red notices from Interpol, which are not arrest warrants but requests for police worldwide to detain the individuals pending extradition. The Xi Jinping restaurant offers a variety of Chinese and South Korean dishes, boasting a four-star rating from Google reviewers.