South Korean restaurant owner sentenced for hammer assault

A chicken restaurant owner in South Korea has been sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, for special injury charges following an assault on an employee. The incident occurred in January when the owner, identified as Mr. A, allegedly attacked a worker in his 50s after a dispute regarding staff meals.

The conflict arose when the employee protested the reuse of leftover food, such as cabbage and soy sauce, for staff meals. According to reports, the owner lured the victim to a basement, threatened him, and threw a 43cm hammer that struck the victim's head after bouncing off a pillar. The owner reportedly left the victim bleeding on the floor without providing aid.

The Gwangju District Court considered the owner's admission of guilt and a 10 million won deposit made to the victim as mitigating factors, noting that a previous similar offense occurred approximately 28 years ago. The owner has denied intending to hit the victim, citing a loss of temper, while maintaining that other staff members did not complain about the food. The prosecution has appealed the ruling.