Four Chinese Men to Face Arrest Warrants Over Lacquer Attack, Suspected Food Contamination at Chinese Restaurant Named After Xi Jinping — Seongnam, South Korea
This article organizes publicly available information into a single account. Where it describes an arrest or an ongoing investigation, that reflects only one stage of criminal procedure and does not mean guilt has been established (the presumption of innocence applies). We will update this article as new information becomes available, including the outcome of prosecution, non-prosecution, or trial. This article is not intended to unfairly disparage any individual, group, nationality, ethnicity, or belief, and aims to provide objective, fact-based information.
In the early hours of September 24, 2026 — the first day of the Chuseok holiday — four men believed to be Chinese nationals in their 20s to 40s broke into a Chinese restaurant named after Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. They allegedly sprayed lacquer and paint inside the restaurant and contaminated food ingredients with a substance believed to be a pesticide. According to South Korean media outlets, the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency announced on September 28 that it plans to seek arrest warrants for the four men.
The suspects, who covered their faces with masks and hats, reportedly stopped at a residence in Seongdong-gu, Seoul after the incident; three of them departed for China (toward Yantai or Shanghai) via Incheon International Airport that morning, with the fourth leaving that afternoon. Police have not officially confirmed a connection between the restaurant's name — referencing China's top leader — and the attack, though a political motive is suspected. Police plan to pursue investigative cooperation with Chinese authorities through international cooperation channels, and are considering requesting an INTERPOL Red Notice once arrest warrants are issued.
Current status: The status of identifying the four suspects and how Chinese authorities will respond to extradition or investigative cooperation requests remain unclear as of this writing. Observers have noted the investigation could be prolonged given the absence of an extradition treaty between South Korea and China. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
Editorial Perspective
No decision on indictment has been made at this stage, so this article reflects information from the investigative phase. An arrest is only one step in criminal procedure and does not establish guilt (the presumption of innocence). According to National Police Agency and Ministry of Justice statistics, the number of Penal Code cases involving foreign nationals visiting Japan has risen for two consecutive years since 2023, but remains below its mid-2000s peak (related article). A single case does not necessarily reflect the broader statistical trend; further developments are worth watching.