Park Jae-hyuk is a seasoned journalist who has provided comprehensive coverage of South Korea's corporate dynamics, economic policies, industry challenges and the global positioning of Korean companies. Based on the articles he has written since joining The Korea Times in 2016, his investigative approach has helped readers understand corporate governance, economic trends and business strategies shaping South Korea’s economy.
Korea’s political divide spills into food franchise industry
A message that reads "The respondent, President Yoon Suk Yeol, is hereby removed from office. Thank you, my fellow citizens," is displayed on an electronic signboard in front of one of Jadam Chicken's restaurants in Incheon, April 4. Screenshot from online community
By Park Jae-hyuk
Jadam Chicken apologizes as franchisee welcomes Yoon's impeachment
Jadam Chicken’s headquarters recently apologized to customers after one of its franchisees in Incheon displayed a politically charged message on an electronic signboard outside the store on April 4 — the day of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment ruling.
The message read: “The respondent, President Yoon Suk Yeol, is hereby removed from office. Thank you, my fellow citizens.”
The company emphasized that the franchisee’s actions do not reflect its official stance, adding that an executive visited the location on Monday to issue a warning to the owner.
The franchisee also issued a public apology.
“I sincerely apologize for causing a controversy with politically inappropriate comments in front of my store,” he wrote on the same signboard.
The apologies came amid growing consumer backlash and boycott threats against the fried chicken brand. Supporters of Yoon began flooding review platforms with negative ratings, calling the store “the worst,” while those who supported impeachment praised the message.
Jadam Chicken said that repeated incidents could lead to contract termination, signaling its intent to manage the fallout from the controversy.
The case underscores how the deepening political polarization in Korea is affecting the country’s food franchise industry.
A restaurant near the Constitutional Court in downtown Seoul is temporarily closed on April 3, a day before then-President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment ruling. Yonhap
Even prior to the impeachment ruling, some franchises came under fire from anti-impeachment protesters, who labeled certain restaurants near the Constitutional Court in downtown Seoul as “pro-impeachment” due to perceived unfriendliness from owners or staff.
Restaurants tagged as “definitely right-wing” also reported declining sales, claiming they were unfairly labeled and lost customers who supported impeachment.
As political tensions began to distort restaurant ratings, the operator of the Baedal Minjok food delivery app tightened its content guidelines. The platform now prohibits keywords such as “Constitutional Court,” “insurrection” and “impeachment” in restaurant reviews.
“Restaurant reviews should not trigger political or social disputes,” the company said in a statement.
In December, when anti-Yoon protests drew massive crowds, some brands were targeted for boycotts due to their associations with celebrities who had prepaid for food and supplies for attendees of the candlelit rallies.
Despite the backlash, most brands maintained ties with those celebrities.
Puradak Chicken, for example, hired singer IU as a new spokesmodel earlier this year despite boycott threats from pro-Yoon consumers. IU had prepaid for food and hand warmers for her fans attending a protest near the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.
Kukde Tteokbokki, on the other hand, faced controversy over its CEO, Kim Sang-hyun, who vocally supported Yoon's martial law imposition and took part in anti-impeachment rallies.
The head of the spiced rice cake franchise has frequently drawn attention since 2019 for his outspoken criticism of former President Moon Jae-in and former Justice Minister Cho Kuk.