Kim Eo-jun warns of legal action over Paris hansik restaurant coverage

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun, who recently opened a Korean restaurant in Paris, has threatened strong action against what he called malicious media coverage of the venture.

Kim raised the issue Monday on his YouTube program "Kim Eo-jun's Humility Is Hard News Factory," noting that South Korean journalists had been visiting the Paris restaurant since its opening.

He said reporters were framing the story around whether money sent abroad to set up the restaurant could be "slush funds," and sharply criticized the media's approach as an "occupational disease, or just a disease."

"Why would I move money overseas? It is money I earned legitimately and I am not the least bit ashamed of it. If I have something to spend it on, I spend it here," Kim said, defending his financial management. He added that his finances had already been scrutinized under the Lee Myung-bak, Park Geun-hye and Yoon Suk Yeol administrations, saying he was already "a glass wallet that has been turned inside out."

Kim said opening the Paris restaurant fulfilled a long-held dream, and said of some media outlets: "They think the world consists only of politics and corruption. It is foolish."

He said he would respond to any malicious coverage of the restaurant with aggressive legal and financial action, which he called "financial treatment."

"I have no objection to criticism of what I argue. But if anyone touches the project I am building with my colleagues and comrades, I will not stay quiet," Kim warned.

He said he would pursue damages "one million times over for every single won of harm caused."

Kim had earlier opened a modern hansik restaurant, Vendredi Gourmand, in the Latin Quarter of Paris's 5th arrondissement, personally greeting guests as he launched his foray into the restaurant business.