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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Theborn Korea has launched an on-site investigation into a controversy involving one of its café franchise brands, Paik’s Coffee, following a dispute between a store owner and a part-time employee.
The case, which has drawn widespread public attention, centers on allegations that a part-time worker took three beverages from the store and was subsequently reported to authorities by the franchise owner.
According to industry sources on April 2, Theborn Korea stated that it is treating the matter with seriousness and has dispatched brand executives and legal personnel to the site to establish the facts. “We will conduct a thorough investigation and determine strong measures at the headquarters level based on our findings and future judicial outcomes,” the company said.
The controversy initially surfaced through online communities, where reports emerged that a part-time worker at a Paik’s Coffee outlet in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, had been accused of occupational embezzlement by the store owner.
The employee, who worked at the store between May and October last year, allegedly took three beverages—including iced Americanos worth approximately KRW 12,800—while leaving work. Public opinion quickly formed around concerns that the owner’s legal action was excessive.
As the issue escalated, Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on March 31 that it had received a complaint alleging workplace harassment at the store and would investigate potential violations of labor laws.
However, the store owner has pushed back strongly, releasing evidence to refute the employee’s claims. The owner alleges that over the five-month employment period, the worker caused substantial losses by providing free beverages to acquaintances and improperly accumulating customer reward points.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
