[Delivery Driver: Coupang here.]

[Owner: Talk to the people inside.]

[Delivery Driver: Why are you speaking to me informally?]

[Owner: Damn it, why are you picking a fight with me from the morning? Get out! I don't need your delivery, just get out!]

[Owner: I am going to report you for obstruction of business, so get out.]

A commotion involving police occurred at a popular Chinese restaurant in Seoul due to a conflict between a delivery driver and the owner.

The incident began when the delivery driver visited the restaurant to pick up an order.

[Informant/Delivery Driver who was verbally abused: I have been picking up orders there since the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though the owner used informal language, I just endured it for about four years because I just needed to pick up the food. But that day, the owner was feeding the fish and spoke to me informally, looking down on me without even glancing my way. I thought to myself, 'Am I worth less than the fish now?' Because I had been holding it in for so long, I tried to speak to the owner nicely, but they immediately started swearing. I can't sleep because I keep thinking about it, so I am currently taking sleeping pills prescribed by a doctor.]

There were also comments in online communities for delivery drivers suggesting that the restaurant had a poor reputation.

[Anchor Kim Jong-won: I never go there. They use informal language and look down on people. Isn't that place...? The owner is a bit like that. I've seen comments in rider communities saying things like, 'They completely ignore riders, so I refuse to deliver for them from now on,' or 'I've experienced something similar.']

Multiple drivers claimed to have had similar experiences, but delivery workers express that it is difficult to respond because they could face disadvantages from the platform even if they are unfairly involved in a conflict with a restaurant owner.

They argue that while a delivery driver reported by an owner can face direct consequences to their livelihood, such as The Call restrictions or account suspension, sanctions against owners are relatively minor.

The SBS News Hunters team contacted the owner directly.

[Chinese Restaurant Owner: This is the first time something like this has happened in the eight years I have been running this business. The driver suddenly came up to me and asked, 'When is the food coming out?' so I told them, 'Go inside and ask.' After that, while I was at the counter, they asked, 'Why are you speaking to me informally?' So I said, 'Why are you picking a fight with me? Get out.' That is all. I told them to get out rather than using profanity. Anyone could see that they were trying to stir up trouble. There are many good and decent delivery drivers, but sometimes there are crazy people like that. I treat delivery drivers well. I give them drinks and tell them to stand in front of the air conditioner when the weather is hot.]

The owner denied using profanity or informal language, claiming instead that the delivery driver was the one who initiated the conflict.

Regarding the frequent conflicts between restaurant owners and delivery drivers, experts point out that a mature culture of cooperation has yet to be established despite the rapid growth of delivery platforms.

There is a growing call for platforms to establish clear guidelines and strengthen conflict resolution systems.

(Reported by Lee Seyoung | Video by Choi Kang-san | Source: News Hunters | Produced by SBS Digital News)