A store owner who demanded and received a settlement of 5.5 million won, saying a part-time worker drank store beverages without permission, eventually returned the money.
According to a video posted on YouTube channel "Journalist" on the 9th, the owner A of a PAIK'S COFFEE shop in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, was confirmed to have returned the 5.5 million won settlement received from the part-time worker.
The video included a text message the part-time worker received from A. In the message, A said, "I'm really sorry for using abusive language toward you and hurting you," and added, "I know how you feel, and I also fully understand how tormented you must have felt, as I have been hounded by the media as well."
A went on, "I sincerely apologize for the words that hurt you. I am also willing to return the money I received from you," and added, "I had wanted to say this earlier, but I was afraid it would go to the media again, so after thinking it over I'm sending this by text."
The bank transaction history released with the text message shows a remittance of 5.5 million won.
A had previously demanded a settlement of 5.5 million won, saying the store's part-time worker siphoned off a total of 350,000 won worth of beverages over about five months starting in May last year.
As the case became known on online communities and in the media, criticism of the store owner spread.
In a text sent to the part-time worker, A said, "I hope there will be no more media reports," and added, "This is not just my store alone, and I ask that no further damage be done to store owners nationwide who rely on their businesses because of my wrongful words and actions."
With the owner returning the settlement, the case appears likely to come to a close for now, but the owner's store is expected to be suspended. The Born Korea, the headquarters of PAIK'S COFFEE, said it would impose a business suspension on the store.
A similar level of action is expected for another PAIK'S COFFEE run by an acquaintance of A. The part-time worker who was asked for a settlement had also worked at that branch and was previously accused there of occupational embezzlement for taking three drinks on the way home from work.
The Born Korea plans additional measures once the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) releases the results of its labor inspection. The ministry is reviewing whether there were unfair practices, including workplace bullying, at two PAIK'S COFFEE branches.