"Even the President Visited... Euljiro's Famous Restaurant 'Yangmiok' Visited by DJ Also Burned Down in Fire"

"Disappearing So Pointlessly" Bitter Reactions from Nearby Residents
Opened in 1992 in 'Nopo Street,' Standing for Over 20 Years
DJ Was a Regular Customer... "He Always Came with His Wife"
Almost Demolished During Seoul Redevelopment

Photo of former President Kim Dae-jung and his wife (right), and CEO Tak Seung-ho and his wife, hanging at the entrance of Yang Mi-ok

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] "It's really unfortunate," "I have to cancel all my appointments."

'Yangmiok,' a representative restaurant in Euljiro 3-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, is burning in a fire, causing sadness among citizens. This restaurant is famous as an 'Euljiro landmark' that even the late former President Kim Dae-jung used to frequent during his lifetime. For decades, it has satisfied the hunger of nearby office workers and was even designated as a 'living cultural heritage,' but it suffered significant damage due to this fire.

According to the fire authorities, a report of smoke coming from the second floor of Yangmiok was received around 7:50 p.m. on the 23rd, and the Seoul Jungbu Fire Station dispatched firefighters to extinguish the fire. A total of 84 people, including restaurant staff and customers, evacuated, with 2 sustaining minor injuries. The fire, which started on the second floor, spread to the first floor, completely burning both floors of the building and spreading to the second floor of an adjacent building.

The fire department deployed 247 personnel and 60 vehicles to put out the fire. They plan to investigate the exact cause of the fire and the extent of property damage in cooperation with the police.

Citizens who heard the news of the fire at Yangmiok expressed their sorrow. Mr. A, a man in his 50s who was planning to have a drinking gathering with acquaintances at Yangmiok soon, said, "I was shocked to hear the news of the fire at Yangmiok yesterday. It is a place filled with memories of Seoul citizens for a long time, and it should not disappear so tragically," expressing his sadness.

Citizen B (32) said, "Yangmiok was a must-visit landmark in Euljiro. Even if it takes a long time, I hope it will be restored and reopen."

The appearance of Yangmiok Restaurant in Euljiro, Seoul in 2019. / Photo by Yonhap News

Yangmiok opened in 1992 in the 'Nopo Street' area of Euljiro and had been operating for 29 years this year as a specialty grilled beef tripe restaurant. It was known for its excellent taste by grilling beef tripe over charcoal, and it was always crowded with citizens.

Former President Kim was a regular customer, visiting about 180 times during his lifetime. A photo of the former president with his wife, Lee Hee-ho, hangs at the restaurant entrance.

It is also known that the former president and his wife visited Yangmiok in 2005 to celebrate their 43rd wedding anniversary. Yangmiok CEO Tak Seung-ho recalled in a 2009 interview with a media outlet, "President Kim visited the restaurant three or four times a month during lunch hours when it was not crowded. He always came with Mrs. Lee, and when they came, he ordered two servings of grilled beef tripe. Mrs. Lee liked cold noodles," reminiscing about those times.

On the afternoon of the 23rd, a fire broke out at Yangmiok near Euljiro 3-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, and firefighters are conducting extinguishing operations. / Photo by Yonhap News

In 2019, Seoul City pushed for redevelopment in the area, and Yangmiok almost disappeared into history. However, some long-established merchants, including Yangmiok, refused demolition, causing the redevelopment to be canceled. Subsequently, Yangmiok was designated as a 'living cultural heritage,' recognizing its preservation value.

Yangmiok endured many hardships, from the threat of demolition to the COVID-19 pandemic, but ultimately, on the 23rd, the first and second floors of the restaurant building were completely destroyed by fire.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.