Three South Koreans commit homicide at HCMC restaurant

By Tue An, Nhat Linh December 29, 2024 | 03:22 pm PT

A restaurant. Illustration photo by Pexels

Three South Koreans were involved in a violent incident at a restaurant in HCMC’s District 1, resulting in the business owner’s death and serious injury to one staff member.

The incident occurred at 3 a.m. on Saturday, South Korean news outlet Yonhap News Agency reported, citing the South Korean Consulate General in the city and the local South Korean community.

The three South Koreans, around 30 years old, assaulted the restaurant’s 40-year-old owner, also South Korean, and a staff member with a blunt object.

The owner died at the scene, while the staff member was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. One suspect has been arrested by the police, while the other two have reportedly fled.

A source confirmed with VnExpress that the murder took place on the third floor of a restaurant on Tran Hung Dao Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1. The case is under investigation and no further information has been provided.

A video circulating within the local South Korean community shows that the three suspects involved in the incident had tattoos and were attacking someone who appeared to be the restaurant owner, according to Yonhap. One of them repeatedly struck the victim's head with a blunt object. The crime scene was chaotic and bloodied.

A witness said the suspects had used a "hallucinogenic substance" and acted violently towards the restaurant staff. The restaurant owner was attacked when he tried to intervene.

An official from the South Korean Consulate General said local police are investigating the case and providing assistance with procedures to the family of the deceased victim.