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NEW YORK ― McDonald's and Koreans are going at it again. Only a few months after the seating feud in Queens, another brouhaha broke out at a hamburger joint just down the street. This time, it's a $10 million conflict.
A 62-year-old Korean man sued the mega fast food chain for an alleged racially motivated physical and verbal attack by one of its employees.
The plaintiff, identified only as Kim, is seeking $10 million in compensation, according to Kim & Bae, P.C., the New York law firm handling the case.
While the burger giant dealt with its share of outrageous lawsuits ― some over coffee spills and napkins ― legal experts say this case is downright valid and Kim has a good shot at winning.
"This isn't one of those ridiculous lawsuits,'' says John Choi, a lawyer based in Los Angeles. "We're talking about racism and physical attack. These two things alone make a strong case against a big business like McDonald's.''
According to Kim's attorney, a female manager hit Kim with a broom when he complained about waiting in line for more than 10 minutes to order coffee. The manager allegedly told Kim coffee isn't sold to "people like you.''
Raymond Kim, attorney at the law firm of Kim & Min in Los Angeles, says even if the words "people like you'' are not deemed to be racist, evidence that Kim was physically abused is enough to win the case.
According to the plaintiff's lawyer, the physical attack was recorded on the restaurant's surveillance camera.
"I'd say there is a high chance that McDonald's will even seek an early settlement in order to save the company's image,'' Raymond Kim said.
Choi Young-soo, an attorney in New York, agrees that a settlement is highly likely.
"This case has it all ― racism, violence and even a deep-pocket company like McDonald's. It's a no-brainer that the legal representative is demanding a hefty compensation as part of a bigger strategy. It's symbolic,'' explained Choi, adding that video evidence makes this case highly favorable for the plaintiff.
As news of the lawsuit spreads in the Korean community in the U.S., people are split over whether to support the case or not. While some easily sympathize with Kim, others view it as another situation where Koreans are abusing their customer rights.
"Even Koreans stereotype other Koreans so, when a case like this happens, people generally react based on their perception of other Koreans instead of looking at the facts.
"We just hope that the situation will get settled in a proper and timely fashion,'' says Kim Moon-ki, an official of the Korean American Association of Greater New York.
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