Part-time Worker Posts Video Smoking 'Ppeokkeum Ppeogeum' in Kitchen... Lotteria "Store Operations Suspended"

Lotte GRS "Confirmed Domestic Store, Two Involved Parties Immediately Excluded from Work"

A part-time worker smoking inside a Lotteria store in Korea. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A video showing a part-time worker smoking a cigarette in the kitchen of a Lotteria franchise store in the Gyeongbuk region has been released. Lotteria has launched an emergency hygiene inspection along with assessing the situation.

Earlier on the 11th, a video was posted on the social media platform TikTok showing a person wearing a hat printed with the Lotteria logo smoking a cigarette in the kitchen. Around the person standing in the video, kitchen facilities such as Lotteria’s cooking equipment, refrigerator, and sink are clearly visible.

The video, lasting about 6 to 7 seconds, was uploaded the day before but was suddenly deleted. It is understood that the person who filmed the video posted it on their SNS account but deleted it as the controversy intensified.

According to a Yonhap News report, a Lotteria GRS official admitted, "The location in the video is indeed a domestic Lotteria franchise store." They added, "It has been confirmed that two part-time workers who finished their late-night shift took the video in the kitchen. They have been immediately removed from their duties."

They also stated, "The store has suspended operations from yesterday, when the video was confirmed, until today," and added, "Currently, hygiene inspections and staff training are underway at this store, and if necessary, the suspension period will be extended."

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